ROCK HALL — Earlier this month, the Kent County Board of Education celebrated teachers who continue to elevate their professional achievements.
Five teachers who earned their National Board Certification and another teacher who completed his doctorate were recognized at the school board’s Jan. 12 meeting.
Director of Human Resources Dan Hushion led a special pinning ceremony recognizing the teachers who earned their certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. They are Emmie Nickerson and Jackie Walters of Rock Hall Elementary School, Janet McCormick of Kent County Middle School, Courtney Whitby of H.H. Garnet Elementary School and Mary Jessica McGee of Galena Elementary School.
“They’re all outstanding individuals who truly care about their craft and improving their craft, which is really what the national board process is all about,” Hushion said.
Gina Jachimowicz, director of teaching and learning, and Tom Porter, supervisor of accountability and Career and Technical Education, joined Hushion for the pinning ceremony.
In 2022, Kent County Public Schools had two staff members who received National Board Certification.
National Board Certification for teachers is a top priority in the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the state’s roadmap for improving education.
Kent County Public Schools’ promotion of the National Board Certification process has now led it from having two faculty members having achieved that career milestone to 13 over the last three years.
The celebration at the Jan. 12 school board meeting included recognition of another Kent County Public Schools staff member who had completed a doctoral program through a partnership with Bowie State University.
In December, Justin Jenkins of Kent County High School successfully defended his dissertation and graduated with his doctorate in education.
His wife Devon Jenkins, who also is on staff at KCHS, received her doctorate last spring through the same program.
Trish McGee, owner and publisher of The Evening Enterprise, is president of the Kent County Board of Education. She did not contribute to this report.
