Bozeman has another reason to celebrate. Jennifer Royall, language teacher at Sacajawea Middle School, was announced to be one of five teachers in Montana to gain certification.
National certification is something new.
Some states like Michigan have had state certification for some years, but the national program has just begun to certify teachers in the last four years, in Montana, the last two. With Ms. Royall and four others just receiving notification, there are now 10 CPTs in Montana. Teacher certification, like certification in other professional fields, identifies persons who have documental extraordinary expertise in their fields. The National Teacher Professional Certification program involves the development of an extensive portfolio which unequivocally illustrates that the candidate has a thorough understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of their profession, is capable of high level scholarship and makes a strenuous commitment to planning and implementing excellent teaching. Following the screening of the portfolio, candidates take an examination covering the field of education and the particular academic subject areas in which they teach.