Submitted by San Juan Island School District

After the completion of a rigorous course of study, two San Juan Island School District teachers have each been awarded National Board Certification. They are Diane Heller, of the Friday Harbor Elementary School, and Kevin Cullen, of the Friday Harbor High School.

Heller has been certified as an Early Childhood Generalist and Cullen in Adolescent and Young Adult Mathematics. These two well-respected teachers join Sam Garson (FHHS), Erin Bristow (FHMS) and Beth Spaulding (FHHS) as National Board Certified Teachers in the San Juan Island School District.

National Board Certification was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. It is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards was launched in 1987. The goal is to create standards for high-quality teaching and to professionalize teaching through licensure, following the lead of fields like medicine, engineering, and architecture. A decade of research shows board-certified teachers positively impact student learning. For more information, visit www.nbpts.org.

“Congratulations to our new National Board certified teachers,” said SJISD Superintendent Danna Diaz. “You are joining over 112,000 National Board certified teachers who are transforming teaching and learning across the map in a myriad of methods. We are proud of your accomplishments.”