Park Center Senior High School; Brooklyn Park, MN, USA
The National Board Certification is a program designed to recognize accomplished teaching in classrooms all around the United States. With only three teachers in District 279 who have received this professional credential, Park Center is fortunate to have one so close to home. Ms. Mary Condon, who is a world language teacher here at PC, achieved National Board Certification in June of 2007. Over a period of 18 months, Ms. Condon had to complete many tasks in order to be recognized as a National Board Certified teacher. She was required to complete four different parts of a portfolio: writing and analyzing, two videos, a Spanish proficiency exam and another exam that contained six parts regarding Spanish. Proudly, Ms. Condon states that she passed the exams the first time around, which most teachers who take the test don't usually pull off.

"I've always liked to do things to show that I am a highly qualified teacher." With this being said, she was her own motivation and participating in this program was her decision. When the district started to recognize this program not too long ago, she grasped at the opportunity to fulfill her never-ending, long term goal. This program does not only benefits the teacher, but also the students as well. When completing the tasks required, she had the chance to closely observe how students respond to programs, if the programs were effective and so on. She feels that this program has helped her analyze and see which teaching styles work and which ones don’t with the students.

After becoming a part of the National Board Certification, nothing new is expected of Ms. Condon with some exceptions. "The only thing that is expected is renewing the license every 10 years so you can't just sit around. Other than that, we have opportunities, not expectations." Being invited to be in a committee that reviews what's required of candidates and also to read further candidates' applications are just some of the opportunities offered to Ms. Condon.

It's not easy being a teacher, but there are some teachers who put forth the extra effort to help their students. They take time out of their own lives and do work outside of the school day in order to ensure their teaching style clicks with students' learning styles. Not only do they care about just finishing the lesson plan, but making sure each and every student comprehends what is being taught. Just like Ms. Condon did, teachers all over the United States have the opportunity to elevate and reshape the field of education and ultimately improve student
learning by becoming a National Board Certified teacher.

-Michelle Pham, PCSH Webteam