Teaching duo named certifiably tops

Jeff Benson

Longtime friends Jenny Dory and Cara Boyd have traveled nearly

identical career paths since they tag-team-taught six years ago.

They earned their master’s degrees at the same time and from the

same university and eventually co-taught kindergarten/first-grade

combo classes together at Wilson Elementary School in Costa Mesa.

Last year, both teachers made the leap from teaching first grade to

teaching kindergarten.

So it should come as no surprise that the duo received one of

teaching’s top honors at the same time, as well.

Last month the two received the National Board Certification,

proving through demanding performance assessments that they meet the

high national standards of what accomplished teachers should know and

are expected to do.

“We really feel strongly about the benefits of collaboration,”

Dory said. “Supporting each other really benefited us. It’s so much

easier when you have the support because you can reflect on what you

are doing.”

National Board Certification means they’re credentialed in every

U.S. state. Newport-Mesa Unified School District also rewards them

with a 2% pay raise.

They were two of only four Newport-Mesa teachers qualified for the

distinction this year, including Spanish teacher Darcie Khanukayev at

Corona del Mar High School and kindergarten and special education

teacher Amy Morgan-Rogers at Lincoln Elementary School.

Dory and Boyd took tests and had to show proof that they improved

classroom literacy in language arts, math and science; built a

classroom community and developed as a leader and as a learner in the

community, Dory said. They also had to submit work samples and

videotapes for review, she said.

“As far as actually finishing National Board Certification, it’s

such an undertaking that having a partner to do it with you is such a

blessing,” said Boyd, who is on maternity leave until April.

More than 85% of Wilson’s students came into the school speaking

English as a second language, and the language barrier provides an

added hurdle for its teachers, Wilson Principal Candy Sperling said.

The state provides an added incentive of $5,000 per year, over

four years, to national board-certified teachers who teach at

underperforming schools, Dory said.

“We’re so well represented,” Sperling said. “The thinking is that

our kids probably don’t have very good teachers. [But] we have

outstanding teachers, and some outside people have said that. This is

a very formal and really nice way of saying our teachers are doing a

good job.”

National Board Certification is available to everyone who has

taught for three years at a public or private school with a valid

license and a baccalaureate degree. The certificate is good for 10

years and can be renewed after that span.

More than 400 California teachers received certification for their

profession’s top honor this year. Dory and Boyd were certified in the

“Early Childhood Generalist” category among 118 other California

teachers.

Orange County’s newest board-certified teachers will all be

officially recognized at a Jan. 25 dinner gala hosted by the Orange

County Department of Education.