North Colonie CSD teachers Amy DeAngelo and Kelley Urbano have earned their National Board Certification.
National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education. It was designed to develop, retain, and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide.
Ms. Urbano teaches 5th grade ELA and Social Studies at Boght Hills Elementary. She decided to pursue it because she felt it would be a great professional development opportunity that would challenge her as an educator.
“My biggest takeaway from the certification process is that above all else, a positive classroom culture is the foundation to successful instruction and learning. Building strong student relationships and understanding who each child is, not only academically and developmentally but as an individual outside of school, is essential when making instructional decisions.”
SHS Spanish teacher Amy DeAngelo said earning her National Board certification was a truly challenging, but rewarding experience.
“I began the process during the year of the COVID-19 shutdown,” she said. “While the process took longer than anticipated as a result, it gave me so much more time to reflect on my teaching approach and revitalize my practice.
“My favorite part of this journey was seeing how my students were excited to participate in my component videos and enthusiastically supported me in achieving my goal,” Ms. DeAngelo added. “I couldn’t have done this without the support of my students and North Colonie community!”
Ms. DeAngelo and Ms. Urbano are now among 19 other NBCT educators in the North Colonie CSD: Sarah Adams, Southgate; Nicole Belizzi, psychologist; Kara Becker, psychologist; James Bell, SHS; Felice Best, SMS; Jessica Chiweteoke, psychologist; James Colton, SHS; Miel Fajen, psychologist; Nicole French, SMS; Kurt Hassenpflug, SHS; Ellen Huss-Simkulet, SHS; Heather Lane, Boght Hills; Amory Lawler, Latham Ridge; Ellen Lowndes, psychologist; Kelly Mattice, SHS; Janet Parmalee, Southgate; Brittany Perillo, Latham Ridge; Stacey Shepard, districtwide; and Karen Wells, SHS.