IMSA Faculty Members Receive National Teaching Certification; Highest Standards for The Teaching Profession

For Immediate Release, December 2003
For comment, contact Brenda Buschbacher at (630) 907-5033

Dr. Steve Condie, Mathematics Teacher Dr. Micah Fogel, Mathematics Teacher Branson Lawrence, Science Teacher

AURORA – Three faculty members at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) have successfully completed all of the requirements to receive certification with the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). IMSA has had 14 faculty members certified by NBPTS since its inception.

Micah Fogel of Aurora, a mathematics teacher for nine years at IMSA and an educator for 12 years, was certified in Adolescence and Young Adulthood/Mathematics teaching. Steve Condie of Naperville , a mathematics teacher for six years at IMSA and an educator for 13 years, also was certified in Adolescence and Young Adulthood/Mathematics teaching.

Branson Lawrence of Somonauk, a science teacher at IMSA for 11 years and an educator for 23 years, received certification in Young Adulthood/Science teaching.

The three IMSA faculty members were among 8,195 primary and secondary school teachers nationwide to complete the rigorous national certification process that credentials successful candidates as Master Teachers. They join a group of only 821 other NBCTs in the state of Illinois.

As part of the National Board Certification ® process, each teacher compiled and submitted a teaching portfolio which included videotapes of classroom teaching, lesson plans, student work samples and reflective written commentaries that detail what they, as teachers, were doing and why. They also had to complete an assessment involving a series of written exercises designed around challenging teacher issues such as curriculum design, student assessment and content knowledge.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, founded in 1987, is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan and non-governmental organization dedicated to raising the level of teaching excellence in classrooms throughout America .

Located in Aurora , Illinois , IMSA® is an internationally- recognized pioneering educational institution created by the State to develop talent and stimulate excellence in teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12. More than 17,000 teachers and 26,000 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from services of The Center@IMSA, the Academy unit that provides statewide professional development and enrichment programs. IMSA serves the people of Illinois through innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy leadership and action research.