On Tuesday, Jan. 30, Boothbay Region High School English teacher Mark Gorey was one of 50 Maine teachers to become new National Board Certified Teacher inductees. He traveled to Augusta to the official pinning ceremony to be recognized for having completed the rigorous program.

Established in 1987, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an independent, nonprofit organization working to advance accomplished teaching. 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 certification process requires that teachers demonstrate standards-based evidence of the positive effects they have on student learning in alignment with the Five Core Propositions: 1. Teachers are committed to students and their learning; 2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students; 3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning; 4. Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience; and 5. Teachers are members of learning communities. (http://www.nbpts.org/standards-five-core-propositions/).

To become a Board-certified teacher, Gorey had to demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and practice in his content area by completing four components: three portfolio entries and a computer-based assessment. The process took three years of hard work and dedication. 

There are a total of 346 National Board Certified Teachers in Maine, and Gorey is the first teacher in the AOS 98 district to have achieved this accomplishment. In that capacity, he may be called upon to help with weekend workshop sessions as current candidates prepare their submissions for evaluation.