This prestigious recognition is a testament to their dedication, expertise, and commitment to their development as professional educators. With these recent additions, the district now has 21 National Board-certified teachers serving students, representing approximately 16 percent of the district's teaching population.
Congratulations to these newly certified teachers across the district:
Beth Martin, a kindergarten teacher, has taught at BH Tharrington Primary (BHT) since joining the district in 2007 and in an advanced teaching role (ATR) since 2022. She shared that through “countless hours of hard work, dedication, and a passion for nurturing the minds of my students,” she aims to “inspire students to love learning as much as I do.” Martin graduated from Radford University in 1991 and obtained her teaching certification from Salem College, where she also earned a Master of Arts in Teaching, in 2008. She is mother to Sam and Sarah, Mount Airy High School (MAHS) graduates.
Melissa Simmons joined the district in 2014 and currently serves as a first-grade teacher. She has also served as an exceptional children's teacher at BHT. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, “The process of pursuing my National Board Certificate was challenging, but having the support of colleagues in the building helped me stay focused and supported throughout this journey. This certification is not just a personal achievement; it represents a dedication to providing the best possible education for my students.” Simmons is a 2006 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Nicole Hooker, a kindergarten teacher, has been serving students and educators in various roles since joining the district in 2014. Ms. Hooker graduated from Lees-McRae College in 2011 and will begin her master’s degree at Appalachian State University this fall. Reflecting on her professional growth, she shared, “For me, it wasn’t just about earning a certification; it was a way to challenge myself professionally and embrace the belief that learning is a lifelong journey. The National Board process was a truly unique experience—unlike any college course or professional development I had encountered before.” She is mother to McKenzie who attends school in the district.
Keri Brinkley, an exceptional children’s teacher at JJ Jones Intermediate, shared, “The heart of this experience was undoubtedly my students, whose hard work, growth, and enthusiasm made the process incredibly rewarding. Their progress provided compelling evidence of our collective efforts' impact. This certification isn't just a personal achievement – it's a testament to what we can accomplish when educators, students, families, and districts collaborate towards excellence in teaching and learning.” Brinkley graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2001 and later earned her teaching certification from East Carolina University. She is married to Justin, and mother of two MACS graduates, Jared and Preston, and two current MACS students, Cohen and Katherine.
Ginnie Deaton, a veteran fifth-grade teacher at JJ Jones Intermediate, has been with the district since 2018 and is a 2002 graduate of Montreat College. Now in her third year as an ATR supporting mathematics and MTSS. Reflecting on her two-year certification journey, Deaton called it “one of the most difficult and rewarding processes” of her career. She credited the district’s cohort model for helping her “stretch my knowledge with my peers and curriculum while holding me accountable to the process” and expressed gratitude to her family, Mrs. Payne, Mr. Tedder, and Mrs. Ballin, for their “willingness to walk alongside me during the experience.” She is married to Eric and mother to MACS graduates, Reece and Kate.
Mount Airy High School counselor Alicia Henson is a 2012 graduate of Montreat College and a 2016 Wake Forest University graduate. In reflecting on her experience, she shared, “I am continually empowered to strive for excellence and better myself for the students I serve, and achieving National Board Certification is just another step forward on that path." Since 2014, Henson has been dedicated to her role, offering counseling services and supporting high school students with college and career resources. She is married to Chris, and mother to Zade and Quinn.
In addition to these certifications, three educators have successfully renewed their National Board Certification; Eve Trotter, Tara Hill, and Ashley Crouse.
Trotter serves as the assistant principal of BHT. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “Having originally certified 10 years ago as an Early Childhood Generalist, this process offered a valuable opportunity to reflect on the experiences that have shaped me as an educator, the skills I’ve developed, and the evolving trends and ideas in education.” She further noted how the experience “challenged my thinking while strengthening my core values and commitment to helping every child succeed.” A two-time graduate of Appalachian State University, Trotter earned her master’s degree in school administration in 2017. She is married to Gray, and mother to Wes, Kit, and Smith.
Tara Hill has been a first-grade teacher since joining the district in 2016. As a National Board-certified teacher maintaining her certification, Hill noted that “Achieving this milestone 10 years later feels incredibly rewarding.“ She earned her undergraduate degree in 2008 from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her master’s degree in elementary education in 2013. Recently named an ATR, Hill’s primary focus is on literacy and intervention. She noted how this valuable opportunity has allowed her to reflect and continue “evolving as an educator committed to excellence and lifelong learning.” Hill is married to Derek and mother to Bennett and Lillie.
Ashley Crouse shared how maintaining her certification allowed her to “truly connect with my inner self and purpose as an educator.” She joined MACS in 2016 and teaches first grade while also supporting the school as an ATR, focusing on intervention and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS). She noted that earning and maintaining her certification presented as an immense accomplishment that promoted self-reflection on her teaching in ways she had not engaged before. As a result, she felt this experience led to "greater confidence and a deeper sense of fulfillment" in her teaching career. Crouse is a 2012 graduate of Appalachian State University. She is married to Joseph and is mother to Willow.
Since the launch of the MACS National Board cohort in 2022, twelve teachers in the district have achieved certification! The district’s third cohort of teachers has already been established, which includes 20 educators, with some pursuing certification over two years, while others are completing the requirements in one year. Penny Ballin, executive director of innovation shared, “We are ecstatic to watch the cohort model positively impact our teachers’ ability to feel supported and empowered while taking on this rigorous professional development. All teachers willing to attempt NB certification should be applauded for their perseverance and commitment. Ultimately, when teachers complete the process, regardless of their outcome, they can grow as reflective practitioners, positively impacting our students and district for years to come.”
Certification by the National Board is the highest credential in the teaching profession, and participation is voluntary. As a part of the certification process, candidates build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, video recordings, and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. Certification is currently available to educators in 25 fields.