The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is a prestigious and rigorous organization that works toward creating high teaching standards.

To become certified by the NBPTS is no easy feat. They have to complete four different components that include multiple examinations of the applicant’s teaching abilities and experience. This process can take up to five years to complete.

Recently, four members of Lafayette staff have completed their certification. The newly certified members include: social studies teacher John Deken, math teacher Patty Mabie, art teacher Liz Morningstar and art teacher Lauren Sakowski.

“I am relieved. I’m relieved that I passed. It was really hard, and I didn’t know that I would pass. I am relieved that I can focus on other things now,” Morningstar said.

Additionally, school nurse Rita McLafferty has been certified by the National Association of School Nurses (NASN). The National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN) works toward advancing the knowledge of school nurses, and to create a healthy and safe learning environment.

“It feels really good. There aren’t many nurses in the US that are certified, so I feel really happy about it. Happy and proud of Molly and I both because we are both certified now,” McLafferty said.

School nurse Molly Bozada also recieved her NASN certification in September of 2017.