Robin Gandy has taught for 18 years, three in the District. She is currently teaching third grade at Erskine Elementary School. Gandy earned her BA from California State University and her MA and Administrative credential from Chapman University in California. She was originally certified in 1999.

“It was important to me to recertify so that I could continue to provide the teachers that I mentor through National Board certification with honest assessment of the work involved in the process,” she noted. “I know that through my work and the work of other District teachers that our students are the ones who will benefit.”

Sharon Gerst has taught in the District for seven years. She is currently a Title 1 Reading instructor at Van Buren Elementary School. Gerst earned her bachelor’s degree from Mount Mercy College and a master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa.

“Completing this process has caused me to be a more reflective teacher,” she noted. “While writing the portfolio entries, I was able to analyze how my instruction impacts students and how I adjust instruction based on my students’ performance.”

Lanette Hauser has taught for 14 years, 11 in the District. She currently teaches K-5 art at Coolidge Elementary School. Hauser earned her associate degree from Kirkwood Community College and a bachelor’s degree at Mount Mercy College.

“The program was a very rigorous and enriching process to go through,” she noted. “It allowed me time to build on my personal teaching skills and to reflect on ways to help all students learn.”

Beth Hieronymus is a 24-year educator who has taught for 14 years in the District. She is currently a Level 1 Special Education teacher at Jefferson High School. Hieronymus earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and an endorsement in secondary language arts from the University of Iowa.

“I decided to pursue National Boards as a way to challenge myself,” Hieronymus explained. “I wanted professional development that focused on my students and their needs, not just theory.”

Lisa Johnson is currently in her 22nd year of teaching, 10 spent in the District. She currently teaches kindergarten at Monroe Early Childhood Center. Johnson received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Iowa.

“Completing the National Board process was probably the most difficult professional accomplishment I have achieved,” she said. “The reflective nature of this process made it such a valuable learning opportunity.”

Becky Johnson is in her ninth year in education, all spent at Jefferson High School as a media specialist. She is also the District’s lead librarian. Johnson received her master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Mount Mercy College.

“I consider attaining national board certification a major accomplishment and see it as a great step forward in my teaching career,’’ Johnson said. “The process was rigorous, so I feel especially gratified to have accomplished this on my first attempt.”

Patty Kratovil has taught elementary school for 15 years, including seven years in the District. She currently teaches kindergarten at Monroe Early Childhood Center. Kratovil received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa.  

“Completing the National Board process was both challenging and rewarding,” she explained. “Because the process requires you to reflect on your teaching, I feel that it was valuable and I have learned a great deal.”

Patty Kratovil

Elizabeth Olsem is a 20-year educator, in her fifth year in the District. She teaches Level 3 Special Education at Jackson Elementary School. Olsem received her bachelor’s degree from Clarke College in Dubuque, earned a master’s degree from the University of Iowa, and holds a Strategist 2 endorsement from Mount Mercy College.

“National Board Certification was a very thought-provoking process that reemphasized the importance of asking questions,” she said. “I learned to ask “Why?” of every aspect of my teaching to help me find the right curriculum and strategies to target my students’ unique learning needs.”

Elizabeth Olsem

Lisa Reid has taught for 12 years in the District. She is currently teaching Kindergarten at Jackson Elementary School. Reid earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and a master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa.

“The National Boards is not just a general class on education,” she noted. “It involves deep personal reflection on how effective you are as a teacher.  It requires you to identify your weak areas develop specific strategies to strengthen those skills.”

Carla Riley has taught for six years, five in the District. She is currently teaching first grade at Erskine Elementary School. Riley received a bachelor’s degree from Coe College and a master’s degree from Graceland University.

“Although the process is time consuming, rigorous and draining, one very important benefit is obvious: it can't help but make teachers reflect on the practices and strategies they use every day,” Riley said.

Susan Van Woert is a 29-year educator who has taught for 21 years in the District. She is currently an instructional coach at Nixon Elementary School. Van Woert earned her bachelor’s degree from Mount Mercy College and a master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa.

“The process provided the framework to help me continue to improve upon my knowledge and skills and especially to reflect on my practice,” she noted.

Nancy Zahn earned recertification in the NBC process. She has taught for 31 years, 18 spent in the District. Zahn is currently working as an Enrichment Specialist through the Career Ladder Grant Program, serving classrooms at Wilson, Madison, Hoover, and Kenwood elementary schools. She received her bachelor’s degree from Coe College and master’s degree from the University of Iowa. She originally earned National Board Certification in 1999.

“It was important to me to recertify to demonstrate that I am keeping up with the newest research and trend in education, and continue to be a high quality educator,” she explained.