Round Rock ISD Celebrates 11 New National Board Certified Teachers

Round Rock ISD now has 11 additional educators who have completed the path to become National Board Certified Teachers across our district, with three others working toward certification through the National Board.

They join more than 30 National Board Certified teachers throughout the district, collectively bringing decades of experience to Round Rock ISD campuses and classrooms.

Fatima Penn, a fourth-grade teacher at Chandler Oaks Elementary School, praised the complex program for shaping how she sees herself as an educator. “The guiding questions this program provided profoundly affected how I teach moving forward. I’m very proud to be an NBCT. I worked very hard for this, and it made me more confident as a teacher and as a mentor teacher.”

She explains that this experience will not only help her future students but also strengthen her connection with student teachers who have the privilege of watching her teach. “I have a student teacher in my class now, and I feel confident to lead her as she learns how to become a future educator. I would do the program again if asked; it truly pushed me to continue to be passionate about what and how I teach.”

National Board Certification is an additional certification that some educators choose to pursue beyond that required of all teachers in the state. The process is described by many teachers as rigorous yet rewarding, requiring educators to demonstrate an accomplished level of practice through a portfolio that includes classroom-based components, reflective analyses and a content knowledge assessment.

Only 40% of candidates complete the program and earn certification on their first attempt, and only 1% of Texas educators successfully earn certification.

To achieve this, candidates participated in comprehensive professional development, learning not just about the National Board standards but also how to analyze their instructional practices and embody evidence-based teaching. Candidates in the 2025 cohort completed a two-year certification process while teaching full-time.

“Earning National Board Certification is not a single moment; it is years of hard work, reflection, and determination,” said Marie Douglass, K-12 world languages coordinator. “These teachers balanced full teaching loads while deeply examining their practice, always with students at the center of their work. Their dedication is inspiring and speaks volumes about their commitment to excellence.”

Tish Saliani, a Westwood High School video production teacher, explains how being part of this cohort has transformed her teaching. “When I looked into it seemed like a lot. This cohort made all the difference. Talking with other teachers in other districts who didn’t have that same support. This program showed me more of what I could do as a teacher that I didn’t realize I wasn’t doing.”

She explains that completing the NBCT program didn’t just shift how she saw herself as a teacher but also how she takes feedback from her students. “I learned to use reflection as part of my lesson planning. Not only did I start reflecting on my own teaching, but I also started really incorporating student reflections into my teaching. It helped me know where to go with each lesson and restructure them so that I’m filling those gaps to teach at a higher level based on students’ feedback.”

Teachers pursuing national board certification are paired with experienced district mentors who provide hands-on support. The teachers also participate in focused professional development sessions designed to help them examine their teaching more deeply and incorporate their mentors' feedback.

“For two years, this National Board cohort showed up for one of the most rigorous professional challenges a teacher can take on,” said Edie Binns, director of elementary academics and professional learning. “The time, energy and discipline invested by candidates, mentors and co-chairs is immense.”

As the applicants worked through the year, it became clear that the journey toward NBCT status was not just about seeking recognition; it was an enriching experience that fostered a community of passionate educators committed to continuous improvement.

“All teachers who go through the process are stronger educators, even if they do not achieve certification,” said Anndrea Lott-Harrold, MTSS instructional coach. “The passion and resilience our teachers have shown in these very turbulent times magnifies their dedication to excellence in education and providing the very best for all of our students.

Our National Board Certified Teachers show that teaching is more than just a job; it is a transformative journey that resonates in classrooms and inspires future generations.

December 2025 Newly Certified Teachers:

Wendy Lipe - Cedar Ridge High School