HCPSS Congratulates 22 National Board Certified Teachers

June 22nd, 2020

HCPSS recognizes 22 teachers who achieved certification during the 2019-2020 school year—15 first-time achievers and seven who renewed their certification.

National Board Certification (NBC) is the highest-level credential in the educational profession. Teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, self-assessment, peer review and expert evaluation.

Howard County is among the top five Maryland districts by historical number of NBCTs, with a total of 237 teachers who have achieved national certification. HCPSS is also among the top five Maryland districts for the number of current National Board candidates, with 90 teachers pursuing certification.

The HCPSS NBC program is a joint partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). The school system combines resources with MSDE to support candidates through a scholarship program. HCPSS also partners with the Howard County Education Association to support the NBC program.

Elizabeth Carty, Colleen Cotton, Sara Cox, James Fisher, Jana Poling, Stacy Purdum, Casey Rettererm, Jennifer Retterer, Richard Ireland, Pamela Linton-Kozar, Stacie Marvin, Eric McArdle, Lauren Rifkin, Robert Sirois, Carmen Sterling, Joanna Taylor, Tyler Meinhart, Erica McGowan, Jennifer Patel, Cynthia Platou, Cynthia Wade, Jessica Yingling.

The newly certified achievers are:

Colleen Cotton, Career Technology Education, Hammond High School
Richard Ireland, secondary Social Studies, Mt. Hebron High School
Erica McGowan, special education, Dunloggin Middle School
Tyler Meinhart, secondary history, Marriotts Ridge High School
Jennifer Patel, Grade 2, Veterans Elementary School
Cynthia Platou, secondary Social Studies, Wilde Lake High School
Jana Poling, special education, Waverly Elementary School
Stacey Purdum, secondary cybersecurity, Applications and Research Laboratory
Casey Retterer, secondary science, Oakland Mills High School
Jennifer Retterer, orchestra, Lake Elkhorn Middle School
Robert Sirois, general/vocal music, Guilford Elementary School
Carmen Starling, Grade 1, Bollman Bridge Elementary School
Joanna Tanner, secondary Social Studies, Wilde Lake Middle School
Cynthia Wade, special education, Waverly Elementary School
Jessica Yingling, physical education, Northfield Elementary School

The renewal achievers are:

Elizabeth Carty, physical education, St. John’s Lane Elementary School
Sara Cox, gifted and talented resource, Dayton Oaks Elementary School and St. John’s Lane Elementary School
James Fisher, secondary Social Studies, River Hill High School
Pamela Linton-Kozar, Grade 2, Stevens Forest Elementary School
Stacie Marvin, mathematics, Hammond Middle School
Erin McArdle, English, Howard High School
Lauren Rifkin, reading specialist, Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School