Sandra Janack, a fifth grade Social Studies teacher and Grade Level Dean at Shorecrest Preparatory School, is one of nearly 4,000 teachers across the United States to renew their certificate as a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT).
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 effect they have on student learning in alignment with the Five Core Propositions. They must exhibit a deep understanding of their students, content knowledge, use of data and assessments and teaching practice. They must also show that they participate in learning communities and provide evidence of ongoing reflection and continuous learning.
According to Janack, “I have been working to thoughtfully integrate technology into my curriculum and to collaborate with other teachers to develop meaningful project-based learning units. The National Board certification renewal process helped to validate that this work is beneficial to students.”
She continues, “The National Board process has helped me to be purposeful about my instruction, to better understand each child as an individual learner, and to reflect thoughtfully on my teaching practice so that I continually improve.”
Shorecrest Head of Middle School Jonathan Davis says, “Sandy is clearly a dedicated professional. It is an extensive task to go through certification, and most teachers do not recertify. I know her students and their families benefit from her expertise and passion. This is one of the many reasons why Sandy continues to be an educational leader for the Shorecrest faculty.”
Working to establish a professional career continuum for teachers, the National Board is at work across the country, setting the expectation that all teachers should demonstrate accomplished teaching via National Board certification and become leaders in their schools and communities.
Along with Janack, Colette Husenitza, a fourth grade teacher at Shorecrest, currently holds a National Board Certification. Her certificate is in Early and Middle Childhood/Literacy: Reading-Language Arts, 3-12.
Shorecrest is deeply committed to teacher growth and professional development,
supporting both individual teacher goals and school-wide strategic initiatives. Faculty and administrators engage in extensive professional development that is focused on the needs of the students and the school’s strategic initiatives. Faculty conduct in-house inquiry as well as attend a variety of workshops, conferences, and webinars annually. Recent areas of emphasis include technology integration, diversity, multicultural/ social justice education, scheduling, differentiation, project-based learning, and Reading and Writing Workshop. Every Shorecrest teacher has a three- to five-year individual Professional Growth Plan that
is developed in collaboration with the appropriate School Head and selected colleagues.
About Shorecrest:
Founded in 1923, Shorecrest is a coed, nonsectarian, PK-12 independent school in St. Petersburg,FL. In a safe, student-centered environment, Shorecrest educates a diverse community of students to become lifelong learners in the pursuit of personal and academic excellence, physical well-being, creative achievement and the development of a commitment to social responsibility. Shorecrest graduates empathetic, independent thinkers who succeed at the university level, pursue their passions, and lead purposeful lives. Learn more at www.shorecrest.org.
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Shorecrest Preparatory School
5101 1st St. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33703
Contact: Rachel Barrett, Director of Marketing & Communications
Office: (727) 522-2111 ext. 223 or (727) 456-7509
Cell: (912) 667-2016
Email: rbarrett@shorecrest.org