From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — Hewitt-Trussville High School (HTHS) Exceptional Education teacher Dena DeChellis was recently selected to receive a National Board Scholarship for the upcoming 2022-2023 School Year.
According to Trussville City Schools (TCS), this scholarship allows DeChellis to commence the steps to become a National Board-Certified Teacher (NBCT) through the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Attaining NBCT status remains one of an educator’s highest and most respected certifications.
“It feels amazing to be selected for the scholarship. I am proud to work at HTHS and that I have earned this opportunity to grow in my career. I am honored to represent HTHS during the NBCT process,” DeChellis said.
TCS states this scholarship opportunity came about through the Alabama Chapter of National Board Certified Teachers, a group that only awards a handful of such scholarships each year.
National Board Certification provides numerous benefits to teachers, students, and schools. The process was designed to develop, retain, and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide, according to NBPTS.
“The NBCT status will give me an opportunity to become a better educator in this ever-changing world,” DeChellis said. “I think that post-Covid, we are seeing new struggles, and I hope that this opportunity will allow me to collaborate with colleagues all over the state and find new ways to reach struggling students. I will use this process to reflect on my current teaching in order to become an overall better educator.”
DeChellis, who moved to Alabama in 2020 from Pennsylvania, will engage in a thorough process to attain NBCT status. She must demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and practice in her individual certificate area by completing four components: three portfolio entries and a computer-based assessment.
Learn more about the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards at https://www.nbpts.org.