Three Pattonville School District teachers earned their certification as a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) and a fourth, Tracey Robinson, is among a small group of teachers across the state of Missouri to receive a certification for the third time. Robinson initially received her National Board Certification in 2001 in the area of generalist/middle childhood and renewed in 2010 and 2020.

Bridgeway Elementary School art teacher Mollie Ahlers earned certification in art/early and middle childhood, Remington Traditional School reading specialist Jill Ramig achieved certification in Literacy: reading-language arts/early and middle childhood, and Pattonville Heights Middle School reading specialist Jennifer Robin completed the certification process in Literacy: reading-language arts/early and middle childhood. 

NBCT is considered the gold standard in teacher certification and is designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. Certification is awarded by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), and teachers are required to renew their certifications every 10 years.

The National Board Standards upon which the certification is based were created by teachers for teachers and represent a consensus among educators about what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. Board certification is available in 25 certificate areas spanning 16 disciplines from preschool through 12th grade.

The certification process requires teachers to demonstrate standards-based evidence of the positive effect they have on student learning in alignment with NBPTS' Five Core Propositions. They must exhibit a deep understanding of their students, content knowledge, use of data and assessments and teaching practice. They must also show that they participate in learning communities and provide evidence of ongoing reflection and continuous learning.