Northridge High School: Teacher Feature

BYLINE: Doug Page
DATE: August 1, 2008
PUBLICATION: Dayton Daily News (OH)

BYLINE: Helen Bebbington
DATE: December 6, 07
PUBLICATION: Dayton Daily News (OH)

English teacher Heather Zacharias awarded national certification with program showing lifelong learning.

HARRISON TWP. — A Northridge High School teacher's efforts have been recognized on a national level. English teacher Heather Zacharias has received the national board of professional certification.

Zacharias said going through the process showed her students the importance of being lifelong learners.

"It just helped me to become a better teacher," Zacharias said. "It was a great experience."

The certification is awarded by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

On Tuesday, the board recognized Zacharias and other teachers who received the honor. In all, about 55,000 teachers nationwide have been certified by the board since the process began.

So far, Zacharias is the only teacher in Northridge who has been nationally certified.

Deciding to apply for the certification is voluntary, and the process can take up to three years.

Teachers, if they are selected to be candidates, must create video portfolios that show their work inside and outside the classroom. They must also take assessments.

It took Zacharias about two years to complete the process.

Zacharias, 32, who has been at Northridge for 9 years, said it involved getting students' parents permission to tape the class while she taught.

She believes the process made an impression on her students. It was an opportunity for them to see that teachers continue to learn, even as they encourage students to do so.

"You get the students' input," Zacharias said.

Northridge Principal Dave Jackson said, "Only two percent of teachers nationally have met these requirements. It's a very big deal for her personally and for our district."

Jackson said Zacharias is very active at the high school. She has a good rapport with students, and has high expectations for them.

Zacharias' accomplishment was honored at the last school staff meeting, and will be recognized at the upcoming board meeting on Monday, he said

"We're trying to celebrate with her," Jackson said. "For her and for the district, it's a very prestigious honor."

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