11 More Teachers Nationally Certified

Congratulations to the Long Beach Unified School District’s newest National Board Certified Teachers! Eleven additional teachers have earned National Board Certification, the highest professional distinction in teaching.

With these additions, LBUSD boasts a total of 182 teachers who have earned the honor over the years. The rigorous certification is a year-long process that involves submitting portfolios, videotaping classroom instruction and participating in a day of written exercises. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification is the nation's only advanced teacher certification.

The newest certified teachers and their work sites are:

• Kirndeep Badesha, Longfellow
• Christopher Blehm, Avalon
• Laura Collins, Addams
• Catherine Davi, Jefferson
• Stacy Dent, Mann
• Desha Dunnahoe, Teacher on Special Assignment
• Katy Fisher, Gant
• Corrin Hickey, Lakewood
• Margaret McBride, Roosevelt
• Hajra Saeed, Sato 
• Tricia Wilkerson, Stanford

LBUSD also celebrates teachers who recently earned maintenance of their certification (a five-year extension): 

• Patricia Anaya, Stanford 
• Deborah Bober, Cubberley 
• Kimberlee Boggs, Los Cerritos
• Bronagh Byrne, Sato 
• Javier De Santiago, Teacher on Special Assignment
• Heather Evans, Kettering
• Shawdee Ghavimi, Burbank  
• Arlena Gilmore, Grant 
• Stacey Hess Pettersson, Poly 
• Ted Hollister, Wilson 
• Leigh Huesmann, Lafayette 
• Nicole Jackson, Teacher on Special Assignment 
• Vanessa Kennelly, Signal Hill
• Sondra McNair, Renaissance
• Belkis Miqueleiz, Whittier 
• Gerard Morrison, Teacher Resource Center 
• Jennifer Nolan, Teacher on Special Assignment
• David Noyes, Bryant 
• Christina Hines, Rogers 
• Richard Ross, Wilson 
• Adara Ryan, Marshall 
• Sarah Schol, Poly 
• Kevin C. Smith, Cabrillo 
• Kimberly Stubblefield, Tincher 
• Megumi Usui, Gant
• Vanessa Amelia Uy, Teacher on Special Assignment 
• Anne Yoon, Teacher on Special Assignment

“Congratulations to our newest National Board Certified Teachers and those who have earned maintenance of certification! Your commitment to excellence in teaching exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism and dedication to student success,” said Superintendent Dr. Jill A. Baker. “Your achievements are a testament to your hard work and expertise and we are proud to have you as part of our educational community.”

National Board Certification can offer license portability and can contribute to continuing education units for educators statewide. Learn more at nbpts.org or visit the LBUSD National Board Certification webpage.