Ledger photo / SCOTT POWELL Limestone-Central Elementary teacher Karen Henderson looks over a student’s work Monday. She is among 33 teachers in the district who have become national board-certified, the highest credential a teacher can earn nationally. By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Melody Bradley already earned two master’s degrees in education when she decided to seek national board certification two years ago. Her efforts paid off this month when she learned she is among a select group of teachers nationally who have become national board-certified.

Bradley and fellow Limestone-Central Elementary teacher Karen Henderson have joined Beverly Hodge of Gaffney Middle School and Julia Stockton of Alma Elementary as the most recent teachers in Cherokee County to earn national board certification, according to information posted on the organization’s Web site. National board certification is the highest credential a teacher can receive.

Teachers who become national board-certified receive a $7,500 annual salary supplement for every year of teaching after certification for the 10-year life of their certification. Teachers going through the process gain a newfound appreciation for teaching in the classroom and the importance of their students.

“The most important thing I learned from this experience was the importance of knowing my students. It’s important to spend time observing how they think and what their influences are so you can help them learn,” Bradley said. “I personally enjoy my students more now as a result of having gone through the process of becoming national boardcertified.”

Teachers seeking national board certification undertake a 2-part process that takes from one to three years to complete. The process requires teachers to reflect on their classroom practices, their understanding of the subject and their preparation techniques. Teachers must prepare a portfolio with videotapes of classroom teaching, lesson plans, student work samples and reflective essays.

Henderson viewed her decision to seek national board certification as the next step in her ongoing effort to learn as a teacher and transfer this knowledge into the classroom.

“I am an avid learner. I always tell my students to strive to do their very best,” Henderson said. “This has been a great experience. It has helped me become a better teacher and evaluate what I am doing in the classroom as I help students discover new things about the world. Teaching is a learning process every day. I love learning.”

The school district has 33 teachers who have received national board certification.

The district offers a support group each year to help teachers going through the process. Teachers get a professional leave day to work on the requirements for national board certification.

Although the financial incentives can’t be ignored, Stockton said her interest in becoming a better teacher and guidance counselor kept her going even after she came up 10 points short on her first attempt.

“I wanted to be the best teacher I could be. I saw this as an opportunity to get better at what I do,” Stockton said. “You live this (national board) process. I learned more about myself as a teacher and more about my students than I ever knew.”