“In college, I fell in love with teaching special education and supporting students with disabilities,” says Casey Knight, special education teacher at Northside Elementary. Mrs. Knight attended Morehead State University and developed her love of special education through her areas of focus: Special Education Learning & Behavior Disorders K-12 and Elementary Education K-5. Upon graduating from Morehead, Casey began working in Woodford County at Huntertown Elementary. She later obtained her master’s degree as a Literacy Specialist from the University of the Cumberlands.
True to a teacher’s heart, Casey describes discovering her career path as “falling in love.” With this level of passion for her students and her job, it is no surprise that Casey decided to embark on the intense and extensive process of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT). According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, “National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students, and schools. It was designed to develop, retain, and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide.”
The certification process is a unique professional development in that it consists largely of self-reflection and analysis. Teachers must demonstrate evidence of their ability to advance students’ learning and growth. They must also exhibit mastery of their content area. The four components that comprise the National Board are as follows: Content Knowledge, Differentiation in Instruction, Teaching Practice and Learning Environment, and Effective and Reflective Practitioner.
Although the process is difficult, teachers like that it values their own teaching methods in the classroom. Casey says, “I appreciated that the process was all about my own teaching and supporting my students. It required a lot of reflection on my part, so I really had to evaluate my strategies and how beneficial they were for my students.” In this way, the certification process is more personal for teachers as they are reflecting on their own teaching craft and how it affects their own students.
Mrs. Knight feels that the contemplation required in the process will have a positive impact on her teaching for years to come. She says, “Overall, I think it allowed me to be a more effective teacher because I can better reflect on the lessons now and in the future.” The reflection and analysis required to obtain her certification have bolstered her ability to further implement these actions in her lesson plans and instruction.
As she considers the wonderful ways this will impact her classroom, Casey is thankful for the support she received from her mentors in the district. Casey explains, “The district provided me with so much support…I was also able to work with different educators across the district to refine my skills...Sue O’Keefe, teacher at Huntertown [where Casey began the certification process], was my mentor in my building. She helped me so much by providing guidance and reading over my papers. Sandy Adams, District Technology Integration Specialist and NBCT Mentor District Coordinator, also helped me by providing me with the technology I needed and meeting with me whenever I had questions.”
Mrs. O’Keefe describes the National Board Certification as “a pathway for educators to strengthen and transform their teaching by reflecting on their own teaching.” She continues, “This past year I had the pleasure of working with Casey Knight as she pursued her certification. Casey was passionate about finding new ways to help her students be successful and becoming a more effective teacher. I am incredibly proud of her!”
The process of becoming a NBCT is already benefitting Mrs. Knight, her students, and her school community. Mr. Scott Hundley, Principal of Northside, says, “Casey joined us this year but had spent a year at Northside during the pandemic. She's brought with her a wealth of knowledge in her special education position and also in literacy for our students. She has high expectations for herself. She has been invaluable not only for our students but also for a newly hired special education teacher that she mentors. Casey is able to put her experience and learning through school and National Boards to use.”
Mrs. Knight concludes, "I am so grateful for the skills that Woodford County has taught me. A teacher at the middle school told me that Woodford County teachers would have an easier time completing the National Board Certification because the county prepares us so well for the process. I believe that is true. I am so excited to be able to use what I’ve learned through this process with my students!"
As a district, we are so grateful that Casey decided to pursue her certification. She will continue to benefit from it both professionally and personally, and the experience will have a positive impact on students for years to come. Congratulations, Mrs. Knight, on becoming a National Board Certified Teacher. We are so proud of you!
