Cherokee Central Schools School Board recognized two outstanding teachers at their school board meeting on Monday, Feb. 4. Michelle McSwain, second from left, and Jonnie Walkingstick, sixth from right, achieved National Board certification in December 2018. Shown, left to right, are School Board Chairperson Charlotte Saunooke, McSwain, Tribal Council Vice Chairman David Wolfe (Yellowhill), Board Member Kendra French-Browning, Board Member John D. Crowe, NBCT Support Consultant Joan Celestino, Jonnie Walkingstick, Board Member Isaac Long, Vice Chairperson Gloria Griffin, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Beverly Payne, Board Member Jennifer Thompson, and School Superintendent Dr. Michael Murray. (ROBERT JUMPER/One Feather)
Special to the One Feather from Cherokee Central Schools
Cherokee Central Schools School Board recognized two outstanding teachers at their school board meeting on Monday, Feb. 4. Michelle McSwain and Jonnie Walkingstick achieved National Board certification in December 2018.
CCS School Board chair person Charlotte Saunooke presented each teacher with a certificate and a gift card for the outstanding achievement. Joan Celestino, National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and Bureau of Indian Education support consultant, had previously presented each teacher with a National Board pin.
McSwain teaches in the English department at Cherokee High School (CHS). She is completing her eighth (8) year with CHS. In addition to her English classes, McSwain also is the Yearbook teacher.
Walkingstick has been a member of the Cherokee Elementary School staff for 24 years. She has served in various capacities during her tenure. Currently, her role is Reading Support Teacher
The Bureau of Indian Education began a program in 2014 designed to increase the number of National Board-certified teachers in Bureau-operated and Bureau-funded schools. The BIE program funded registration and component fees for each candidate and provided a bonus to teachers upon successful completion of each component. In addition, the BIE supplied teachers with a consultant, Joan Celestino for CCS teachers, to support them through the multi-year process. Several other CCS teachers are currently involved at different stages in the certification process.
Teachers working toward certification through the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards must complete four components. One component is an assessment of content knowledge. Component 2 requires a portfolio on differentiation in instruction. Component 3 involves a video of the teacher conducting a lesson and a written analysis of the lesson. The final component is an entry that requires teachers to “demonstrate evidence of your abilities as an effective and reflective practitioner” (https://www.nbpts.org/national-board-certification/get-started/).
