Number of VPS teachers certified in 2017 equal to certified staff in previous four years combined

A district record number of VPS educators earned certification in 2017 from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. These staff members raise the district’s current number of nationally certified teachers and counselors to 104. Approximately 46 percent of them work at schools with the highest needs.

Earning certification is an intensive process that requires up to 400 hours of work and demonstrates that the educator is highly accomplished in their field. Candidates must meet rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review. Congratulations to the following:

Elementary teachers who received National Board Certification in 2018. Pictured from left: Kristina Hickey, Shari Perea, Natalie Haima, Claire Record, Erynn Torrey, Julie Cavarretta, Amanda Abts, Shannon McClelland, Niki Vigorito and Amy Boal. Not pictured: Jamie Donovan, Deborah Kimery, Judith Ruiz, Ashley Shanteau and Rebecca Soltis.

Elementary schools

  • Debbie Kimery, English language learners and learning assistance intervention at Anderson Elementary
  • Rebecca Soltis, second-grade teacher at Eisenhower Elementary
  • Judy Pomerenk Ruiz, grade 1/3 enhanced support teacher at Fruit Valley Community Learning Center
  • Niki Vigorito, intensive academic center teacher at Fruit Valley Community Learning Center
  • Ashley Shanteau, fourth-grade Spanish Language Learning Program teacher at Harney Elementary School
  • Amy Boal, fourth-grade teacher at King Elementary
  • Jamie Donovan, third-grade teacher at King Elementary
  • Natalie Haima, literacy facilitator at King Elementary
  • Shari Perea, kindergarten teacher at King Elementary
  • Claire Record, third-grade teacher at King Elementary
  • Amanda Abts, creative movement teacher at Marshall Elementary
  • Julie Cavarretta, learning assistance intervention at Marshall Elementary
  • Kristina Hickey, literacy facilitator at Minnehaha Elementary
  • Shannon McClelland, second-grade teacher at Washington Elementary
  • Erynn Torrey, literacy facilitator at Washington Elementary

Secondary teachers who received National Board Certification in 2018. Pictured from left: Jacque Luna, Kory Langley, Anne Kizerian, Luanna Parno, Jody Adams, Peter Henrichs-Tarasenkov, Natasha Medina, Amy Carpenter, Anna Katerina Fenton and Joanie Hahn. Not pictured: Samir Sankari and Kristina Howe.

Middle schools

  • Jacque Luna, science teacher at Gaiser Middle School
  • Kory Langley, science teacher at McLoughlin Middle School
  • Natasha Medina, counselor at McLoughlin Middle School
  • Samir Sankari, counselor at McLoughlin Middle School

High schools

  • Anne Kizerian, science teacher at Fort Vancouver High School
  • Luanna Parno, math teacher at Fort Vancouver High School
  • Amy Carpenter, natural resources/horticulture teacher at Hudson’s Bay High School
  • Anna Katerina Fenton, structured learning center teacher at Hudson’s Bay High School
  • Joanie Hahn, math teacher at Hudson’s Bay High School
  • Peter Henrichs-Tarasenkov, math teacher at Hudson’s Bay High School
  • Kristina Howe, counselor at Skyview High School
  • Jody Adams, English teacher at Vancouver School of Arts and Academics

Washington state is a national leader in this prestigious certification. In 2017, Washington outpaced the rest of the country in its number of new National Board–certified teachers: 1,434. The state’s total number of National Board–certified teachers—10,135—is third overall in the U.S.