Just 1% of teachers in New York state have been awarded National Board Certification. Niskayuna High School teacher Tom Lester recently joined those ranks when he earned National Board Certification in Adolescent Young Adult English Language Arts.
National Board Certification, the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education, was designed to to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to advance student learning and achievement.
“Tom has a natural ability to connect with kids and his instructional practices are incredible,” said Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Jessica Moore. “This deeply reflective practice, which is self-initiated, is a testament to Tom’s commitment to learning and growing.”
Lester has been a dedicated Niskayuna teacher for nearly two decades, and has taught a number of different electives and courses at the high school, spanning all grade levels and a variety of areas of literature and culture. These include Regents, honors, Advanced Placement and Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) classes, as well as Nonfiction and Documentary Film and Cinema Lit. He is also the advisor of the UNICEF Club.
He says the certification encourages teachers to pay attention to their practice and reflect on how it impacts students, an example of the district’s mission to empower, persevere, innovate, and connect in action.
“I hope that my students say that they were able to learn and practice skills that are transferable to real life—because the truth is not everyone will become an English major. The ability to write and express your thoughts clearly and communicate an idea to an audience, the ability to read an audience, those are really practical skills to have, that I hope to deliver,” shared Lester. “I hope to give kids a chance to practice so that they can do what they want with their life and succeed.”
He says a colleague inspired him to pursue becoming a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT), which took him about two and a half years to complete.
“Annette Romano, was wonderful in terms of pushing me when I needed it and giving me feedback, taking time out of her life to do that. I realized there will be no perfect opportunity to do this. I just needed to start. I am always up for a challenge and have always tried to challenge myself to see what the pinnacle is,” Lester said.
Lester is among 47 Niskayuna teachers who have achieved certification over the last 24 years. Their dedication has led the district to having one of the highest percentages of teachers with National Board Certification in New York state, and that number is growing. There are currently nine teachers working through the process.
National Board Certification also requires teachers to maintain their certification every five years by submitting a portfolio that documents their professional accomplishments. One Niskayuna teacher is currently working through that process. Iroquois Middle School exceptional needs specialist Laura-Depken Carroll recently completed the maintenance of certification after first achieving National Board Certification in 2015.
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