Jennifer Kwiatkowski, physical education and health teacher, recently completed her National Board Certification. The Clay-Batelle High School teacher is now one of fifty-three educators in Monongalia County to hold the National Board Certification Teacher credential.
The NBCT credential is recognized as the highest level of teacher certification. For the CPASS graduate, who earned her undergraduate and master’s degree in physical education teacher education, the process was an outstanding chance to stimulate her teaching skills.
“It was an opportunity to reflect on my teaching and fine tune my skills as an educator,” said Kwiatkowski. “I was encouraged to change my ‘routine’ that teachers tend to fall into, and this change was a positive one.”
Kwiatkowski credits an amazing support system for the completion of her certification. Family and friends were patient and understanding throughout the process, knowing to leave her alone when she was working on the Boards. She tributes her fellow teachers—three from Clay-Battelle and two from Morgantown High— as providing the most significant help to her throughout the process.
“Although we were getting certified in different areas, it was beneficial to have help proof reading, editing, clarify misunderstandings, and emotionally supporting each other throughout the whole process,” Kwiatkowski said. “I never could have done it without my colleagues (friends) who were also being certified.”
The skills Kwiatkowski acquired through the PETE program provided her with a strong base for her National Boards assessment portfolio. “I use these skills daily in order to adjust my teaching to maximize student learning and activity time,” Kwiatkowski said, citing PETE’s wide variety of activity classes, as well as learning classroom modifications and data collection techniques.
In addition to CPASS, Kwiatkowski credits the West Virginia Physical Education Academy as “a huge asset” with earning her certification. The PE Academy provided Kwiatkowski with opportunities to gain continuing education hours, knowledge on incorporating technology in a physical education program, grant writing, and quality mentors, according to Kwiatkowski.
Earning the National Board Certification has already provided Kwiatkowski with new career opportunities. She has received invitations to get involved with committees as well as lead professional development. Kwiatkowski recognizes the achievement as a testament to her professionalism. According to a West Virginia Department of Education press release, certification demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare students for success in college and career. Monongalia County ranks as fourth in the state for teachers holding the National Board Certification.