46 more teachers nationally certified

An additional four dozen Hawaii public school teachers have earned the prestigious National Board Certification teaching credential, bringing to more than 500 the number of isle teachers who have obtained certification.

Forty-six state Department of Education teachers were among 59 Hawaii teachers to receive certification this year from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the DOE announced Friday.

National Board Certification is a voluntary credential. The certification process, which can take one to five years, involves a rigorous, performance-based, peer-review process requiring candidates to demonstrate mastery of knowledge and skills necessary to prepare students for 21st-century success.

Hawaii ranks 20th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia for the number of new board certified teachers added this year. The state had the second-highest growth rate in the nation, at 12 percent.

Hawaii island had the highest number of public school teachers earning certification (18), followed by Oahu (17), Maui County (eight) and Kauai (three).

"We are particularly proud of the increase by neighbor island teachers, whose remarkable determination and dedication resulted in their certification this year," Superintendent Kathryn Mata­yo­shi said in a statement.

Research studies have shown that students of National Board Certified teachers outperform students of non-board-certified teachers on achievement tests. In one study the learning gains were equivalent to an extra two months in school.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association; the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, which licenses teachers; and Kame­­h­a­meha Schools provide administrative and technical support to teachers interested in seeking the credential, which costs about $2,500.

MAKING THE GRADE
The DOE teachers who obtained the National Board Certification teaching credential this year:

OAHU
» Lisa Belen, Aliamanu Elementary
» Julie Bonilla, Holomua Elementary
» Donna Campbell, Kaewai Elementary
» Felisa Ednie, Aliamanu Elementary
» Lance Fujioka, Mililani-Uka Elementary
» Laurie Ishida, Makalapa Elementary
» Sara Kinyon, Kaelepulu Elementary
» Mahealani Kiyan, Nanaikapono Elementary
» Andrea Kubo-Nakasone, Mililani Waena Elementary
» Kristin Lindquist, Waianae High
» Kaiewa Muranaka, Mililani High
» Shareen Murayama, Kaiser High
» Alicia Nakamitsu, Aiea High
» Joy Okano, Moanalua High
» Kelly Sceppe, Makaha Elementary
» Julia Segawa, Stevenson Middle
» Sherry Takenishi, Kaahumanu Elementary

HAWAII ISLAND
» Whitney Aragaki, Waiakea High
» Joel Behr, Pahoa High & Intermediate
» William Keith Blackburn, Pahoa High & Intermediate
» Lacey Cabral, Keaau High
» Gabrielle Chong, Keaau High
» Victoria Couture, Kealakehe Intermediate
» Shannon Harbaugh, Pahoa High & Intermediate
» Nancy Iaukea, Pahoa High & Intermediate
» Shari Jumalon, Konawaena Middle
» Elizabeth Laliberte, Hilo High
» Daniel Lewer, Honokaa High & Intermediate
» Robin Miller, Prince Kalanianaole Elementary & Intermediate
» Kahanu Nguyen, Prince Kalanianaole Elementary & Intermediate
» Megan Oberg, Mountain View Elementary
» Michelle Obregon, Konawaena High
» Layne Takahashi, Waiakea High
» Rochelle Tamiya, Hilo Intermediate
» Kathy Tsugawa, Prince Kalanianaole Elementary & Intermediate

MAUI COUNTY
» Julia De George, Molokai High
» George Helfenstine, Iao Intermediate
» Abby Markulis, King Kamehameha III Elementary
» Jessica Mathias, Kamalii Elementary
» Nathanial Mickelson, Maui High
» Bryan Molina, Lokelani Intermediate
» Amanda Shim, Kula Elementary
» Muriel Warne, Pukalani Elementary

KAUAI
» Shelly Cassler, Koloa Elementary
» Michelle Jenkins, Kapaa Elementary
» Adam Yund, Kapaa Elementary