Prescott School District Communications Specialist

Malone Elementary School is proud to recognize 2nd grade teacher, Stacy Cepukenas, who recently received news that she passed all of her assessments to become a National Board Certified teacher. She shares a bit about the rigorous process and the skills she has developed to use in the classroom.

AH: What interested you in this particular program?

SC:_ A former colleague attained certification and spoke highly of the process. As I researched the program, I learned about all the professional development benefits. When I started, I was not sure what track I wanted to focus on in a master’s program, so I focused on board certification first. A master’s program is still on the horizon for me in the next year or so.__

AH: How long did the program take, its expectations and how did COVID affect the process?

SC:_ National Board requires an national assessment center exam, and three portfolio components. Board certification runs in a five year cycle; I chose to focus on each component individually so I spread my process out over four years. When COVID hit, I was working on my last portfolio component. I had everything I needed to complete the component, but it was an incredibly challenging time, and hard to be away from the students. I finished the component in June, and then had to wait until December for the final results._

AH: What principles of the certification do you apply to your daily classroom activities and lessons?

SC: A lot of the National Board process is about reflection. It has helped me to become reflective of my teaching on a regular basis. My national board work has also helped the way I communicate high expectations for student learning, and showing students how to meet and achieve their goals.

This process was definitely the most challenging and rewarding of my career. I am very fortunate to be part of a strong second grade team at MES, and I learn and grow with them every day. Being part of a team helped me through certification._ We can not teach on an island. Teamwork is so important. I encourage other teachers to consider National Board Certification and I_ would love to mentor other candidates in the future.