Henrico County Public Schools educators who earned or renewed national board certification are pictured at a pinning ceremony Feb. 26. HCPS led Virginia in the number of educators achieving the prestigious designation in 2024 from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Division among top 20 nationally for staff members achieving the honor
Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is the profession’s highest mark of accomplishment. This year, 28 Henrico County Public Schools educators met that remarkable standard, earning national certification status for the first time. In addition, 19 HCPS educators renewed their certifications. The group of newly board-certified HCPS educators is the largest of any Virginia school division this year. Nationally, just 19 divisions had more educators earn this prestigious designation. HCPS led such large school systems as New York City, Philadelphia and Seattle.
“I’m so proud of what this group has accomplished,” said Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent. “Board certification is the teaching equivalent of climbing a mountain. Educators reach this pinnacle on top of the already rigorous demands of daily instruction. Certification is a testament to their commitment and love of teaching.
“Since 2020 HCPS has led Virginia in new board-certified instructors and we will continue to do everything we can to support new cohorts of instructors as they pursue this mark of accomplishment.”
Among the 47 HCPS educators earning or renewing certification were teachers, school counselors, school administrators, innovative learning coaches, a reading coach and an exceptional education coordinator. They were recognized in a pinning ceremony Feb. 26, along with teachers from the city of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Powhatan.
To become certified, educators must submit detailed portfolios for review by their peers. The portfolios include videos of the candidates’ teaching, documented professional accomplishments, reflective essays and examples of student work. Instructors must also pass an exam relevant to his or her subject and level of instruction.
HCPS educators earning certification in 2024 from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards:
Michelle Abrams-Terry, Brookland M.S.
April Barlett, Greenwood E.S.
Sarah C. Barrow, Douglas Freeman H.S.
Melissa Bennett, Colonial Trail E.S.
Lauren Blackburn, Henry Ward E.S.
Emily Bradley, Raymond Pinchbeck E.S.
Jessica Bray, Glen Allen H.S.
Holly Condon, J.R. Tucker H.S.
Aimee Connolly, Elizabeth Holladay E.S.
Jacquelin Raye Cooper, Crestview E.S.
Terri Crenshaw, HCPS Exceptional Education Department
Carlee Earl, Greenwood E.S.
Kimberly Evans, Advanced Career Education Center at Highland Springs
Christy Fields, Mills Godwin H.S.
Yael Fletcher, Rivers Edge E.S.
Ashley H Heckel, Raymond Pinchbeck E.S.
Lorin Hullett, David Kaechele E.S.
Jules Irvin-Rooney, J.R. Tucker H.S.
Kristen Knarr Roberts, Tuckahoe E.S.
Scott Miles, Greenwood E.S.
Sarah Oliver, Deep Run H.S.
Sarah-Henning Snellings, Douglas Freeman H.S.
Mia Tambellini, Deep Run H.S.
Megan Walton, Mills Godwin H.S.
Lauren White, Douglas Freeman and Mills Godwin high schools
Michele Wilhelm, Maybeury E.S.
Marlotte Williams, Anthony Mehfoud E.S.
Joshua Young, Mills Godwin H.S.
HCPS educators recognized for renewing their certification:
Whitney Beaton, Henrico H.S.
Kelly Becker, David Kaechele E.S.
Sara Blackburn, Anthony Mehfoud E.S.
Amy Earle, Deep Run H.S.
Brittany Fennell, HCPS Exceptional Education Department
Nikki Ficor, Raymond Pinchbeck E.S.
Melissa Glanden, Varina E.S. and Anthony Mehfoud E.S.
Andrew Hall, Glen Allen H.S.
Valerie Hume, Maybeury E.S.
Theresa Katz, Mills Godwin H.S.
Laila Marshall, Shady Grove E.S.
Charlotte S. Mason, Holman M.S.
Joshua McKeon, Mills Godwin H.S.
Ashley Melnichak, HCPS Division of Teaching and Learning
Dana R. Morris, Highland Springs H.S.
Lindsey Pantele, Douglas Freeman H.S.
Carrie M. Simmons, The Academy at Virginia Randolph
Amy Stills, The Academy at Virginia Randolph
Alayna Tignor, Holman M.S.