In November, Senior High English Teacher Angela Keeley earned the distinction of being the only teacher currently on staff in the District to hold National Board Certification.

The certification is provided through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and the process to attain it is the most rigorous development that a teacher can have. The first step requires attendance at a seven-week class to learn about the standards and National Board process. Ms. Keeley said she specifically remembered her first assignment, which required reading all of the standards and making a list of her strengths and weaknesses for each. "It took about 2 hours to complete," she explained, "but it forced me to really reflect on my teaching, which I hadn't been required to do prior to this class. It was an eye opener to actually see them written on paper."

After the classes, four portfolio entries in her specific area of teaching were required. Each entry dealt with a different aspect of her area of study. Her first entry analyzed her students' writing, the second and third entries involved videotaping large and small group class discussions with analysis of the videotape, and her last entry dealt with demonstrating parent and community involvement with her classes and continuing growth. The portfolio entries had very specific requirements, in one case requiring her to take her entry from 24 to 13 pages, going through the paper line by line to see what she could remove.

Support sessions were also offered monthly at designated places with the instructors who would help with viewing the videos, brainstorming possible lessons that could be used, and proofreading (especially to make sure that candidates were answering the questions). Ms. Keeley said she found herself rewriting sections many times in order to ensure she was doing just that. Instructors were also available for feedback via email.

While working on the portfolios, fellow teachers Kelly Shiring and Jennifer Shondeck met with Ms. Keeley on many occasions, helping each other with their entries and providing a great deal of moral support for each other. "I know that without their help and support," she said, "I would not have completed the portfolios." In fact, it was Ms. Shiring who persuaded Ms. Keeley to participate, convincing her that she would be able to handle the task, even though she had a new daughter.

The final step in the process was to take a timed test on six different topics in her area of study. Each of the tests was 30 minutes in length. She had no idea in advance regarding the questions, readings/poems selected, etc. The test was in June and the scores came out in November. She said it took a while to register the fact that she had passed because she hadn't felt completely confident with her test answers and she literally had to choose a new video segment and rewrite an entire portfolio entry the night before it was due. Once it sank in, however, she said she was really relieved. "I was feeling pretty overwhelmed," she explained, "and wasn't sure if I would have it in me to redo the process."

Ms. Keeley currently teaches 9th Grade English and Accelerated English at the Senior High School. Last year, she taught Accelerated English and Read 180. Every year, she explained, she likes to change things up, so projects year to year may change. Her students just finished their 9th Grade research paper and are now going to begin Romeo and Juliet and then move onto their Black History unit, where the students will create a photo story about a topic from the Civil Rights Movement.

Despite her new credentials, Ms. Keeley has no plans on leaving the District or the classroom. However, the experience has led her to make some changes in her professional life. "I have started to focus on participating in more professional development opportunities because 'me as a learner' ended up being one of my weaknesses that came out during my portfolio writing," she said. She added that she is also trying to take more of a leadership position in the District, serving as co-chair for the English Department, joining the learning and anti-bullying teams, and serving as one of the team members working to move the 9th Grade Academy forward.

Ms. Keeley has a number of people she recognizes for their support during this period of very hard work. They include fellow teachers Kelly Shiring and Jennifer Shondeck for their moral support, as well as Brian Brown for his technical support. She thanked Administrators William McClarnon, Robert Patterson, and Thomas Washington who enabled her to work on the certification. And finally, she thanked her husband, family, and students from last year for all of their support and understanding.

Before the holiday, Washington Elementary School hosted an amazing program on site. The Mobile Ed AG Science Lab (http://pafbfriends.org/) visited the school, parking on site and allowing each classroom to visit the lab for a 50-minute, hands-on science experience.

The 32-foot trailer contained 12 work stations, with space for two to three students each. Five to six 50-minutes labs were taught each day. Science curriculum used in the program met the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Science and Technology and Environment and Ecology Standards and was also endorsed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The program gave students an opportunity to participate in studies that are outside of the realm of the classroom and gave them access to equipment they might not otherwise have a chance to use. The lab also provided students with the opportunity to work together to solve a problem through investigative reasoning.  (additional photos available in the Washington Photo Gallery)

On Tuesday, January 3rd, the Penn Hills Varsity Cheerleaders performed during the half-time show at the 2012 Allstate Sugar Bowl. Picked as one of the top performing groups by a nationally known choreographer, our young ladies were showcased in the frontline of performers.

One of those cheerleaders who attended the event in New Orleans was Senior Kierney Shook. "Being able to perform at the Sugar Bowl was an amazing experience," she said, adding, "It was an honor to have the chance to represent my school in such a way." A total of 13 Penn Hills Varsity Cheerleaders were able to be a part of the finale at half-time, performing with 300 other cheerleaders and dancers. She said they also had the amazing opportunity to work with Emmy-winning choreographer Bonnie Story, who choreographed "Smooth Criminal" and Disney's "High School Musical."

Varsity Coach Janet Ferrell said the Varsity Cheerleaders "nailed the audition for the choreographers and Penn Hills should be proud!" As a coach, she explained that "when an Emmy winning choreographer pulls you aside to say your girls are 'stunning, sharp, and she wants them right up front . . . she would love to have them in every bowl show she did,' the feeling of pride was indescribable."

Just being in New Orleans was an experience in itself, Kierney explained. "It's all about culture down there," she said, "and it's definitely something different then you're used to seeing in Pittsburgh." She went on to say that the architecture was gorgeous and there was so much history to it all. It was a beautiful place, she stated, adding that she learned so many interesting things.

Kierney concluded by calling the trip an eye-opening experience for everyone who went and something that they will remember for the rest of their lives. For Coach Ferrell, it was an opportunity to return home leaving only a positive image of Penn Hills and its students behind.