National board certification is widely recognized as one of the most rigorous voluntary credentials in teaching. It was created to define what accomplished teaching looks like, and to give experienced teachers a way to demonstrate it.
Candidates spend one to three years assembling a portfolio of their own practice, including videos of themselves teaching. Every component is evaluated by extensively trained board-certified teachers in the same subject and grade band.
“National board certification lets me take a deep dive into my pedagogy, reflect thoughtfully, and examine how my instructional decisions affect student learning,” said board-certified EHS teacher Tandy Schafer. “It strengthened my teaching and provided me with the amazing opportunity to support and guide other educators through their own National Board journey.”
Superintendent Mark Wenzel credits the program for strengthening the teaching profession. "It asks teachers to leverage data and look hard at what students actually learned. Then they explain what they'd do differently, Dr. Wenzel said. “It makes them more effective, and it makes the educators around them more effective."
Twenty-two of Enumclaw’s approximately 244 certificated teachers have earned National Board Certification—9 percent, compared with fewer than 5 percent of teachers nationwide.
Enumclaw School District National Board Certified Teachers
John Blair, Enumclaw Middle School
Kristah Coonradt, Southwood Elementary
Tyler Crane, Enumclaw High School
Marilyn Firnkoess, Sunrise Elementary
Michael Firnkoess, Thunder Mountain Middle School
Desiree Gibb, Enumclaw Middle School
Mark Gunderson, Enumclaw High School
Diane Hammons, Sunrise Elementary
Mark Hanson, Thunder Mountain Middle School
Kristi Hughes, Sunrise Elementary
Adam Ihde, Enumclaw High School
Megan Jones, Enumclaw Middle School
Alice Lampkin, Birth to Five Center
Kristi Landry, Black Diamond Elementary
Kimarie Nuez, Black Diamond Elementary
William Osborn, Enumclaw High School
Jason Patterson, Enumclaw Middle School
Shirley Rhodes, Thunder Mountain Middle School
Lindsey Ryan, Enumclaw High School
Tandy Schafer, Enumclaw High School
William Stuenkel, Enumclaw High School
Kelsey Voight, Westwood Elementary
