LEONARDTOWN, Md. (February 7, 2012)—Ms. Tammy Belisario, a fifth grade teacher at Lexington Park Elementary School, recently achieved National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The National Board certification process is a rigorous multi-year process in which teachers document their work through portfolio and videotaped entries, as well as several assessments.
The achievement rate for teachers attempting certification nationwide is 40%; St. Mary's County Public Schools has an achievement rate of 81%. St. Mary's County Public Schools now has a total of thirty-eight Nationally Board Certified Teachers. Throughout Maryland, there are 2,214 Nationally Board Certified Teachers and over 100,000 nationwide.
"Ms. Belisario is an exemplary teacher who builds a classroom community focused on excellence," said Susie Fowler, Principal of Lexington Park Elementary School. "She has high expectations for every student and differentiates instruction to support each student in meeting their goals. Her National Board Certification status merely confirms what we already knew; Ms. Belisario is a great teacher!"
"Ms. Belisario embodies the mission of our school system, and models excellence in her classroom through her teaching," added Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Michael J. Martirano.
Ms. Belisario was recognized for her accomplishment at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, January 24.
For more information about National Board Certification, visit www.nbpts.org.