Audra Rys has been awarded National Board Certification in English Language Arts from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
After 17 months of intense work, BKW High School English teacher Audra Rys has been awarded National Board Certification in English Language Arts from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
National Board Certification is an advanced teaching credential that recognizes effective and accomplished teachers who meet high standards. Rys is the only current teacher at BKW to hold this distinction.
“This is not something everybody has, so we are very proud that Audra has gone through this process,” said BKW Superintendent Dr. Paul Dorward. “We congratulate her.”
Rys, who chairs the English Department, has
been teaching at BKW for 21 years. She started as a sixth-grade teacher
before taking the position at the high school 11 years ago.
She said she was inspired to apply for her National Board Certification because of the challenge it offered.
“I did it because I wanted to rejuvenate my
teaching,” Rys said. “I like learning new things.”
Obtaining certification required months of intense work in addition to
her daily teaching responsibilities.
“It was difficult,” she said. “I didn’t think it was going to be easy, but I didn’t think it would be as involved as it was.”
She began the process in June 2009 and was certified in November 2010. Along the way, she had to complete four written and video-based projects and ace a six-part test.
Part of her efforts involved writing four 11-page self-assessments of her work with large and small groups of students, evaluating two writing and two reading assignments from two students, and cataloging her professional experiences and how they influence her teaching and classroom atmosphere.
Along the way, she attended monthly work sessions where she was partnered with two board-certified teachers, who helped mentor her through the process.
“They have a wonderful group you work with in the Capital District,” she said.
The BKW Board of Education recognized Rys for achieving certification at its Jan. 10 meeting, where board members and the audience gave Rys a standing ovation.
“It’s quite an accomplishment,” board member Helen Lounsbury said.
“We really do appreciate the time she put in to get certification,” added board president Maureen Sikule.
Though it was more work than she had originally expected, Rys said it was a good experience that was worth the effort.
“I felt it was something I grew from. I am more
connected to the classroom,” she said. “It affects my teaching and my
self-assessment and it made me aware of what I was doing. It made me
more effective.”
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