Huntsville City Schools (HCS) is proud to recognize six educators who have achieved National Board Certification, a distinguished professional credential that highlights their dedication to excellence in teaching. The newly certified educators have successfully completed the rigorous process required to earn this prestigious designation.
The following teachers have been named National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT):
Casaundra Taylor – Academy for Academics & Arts Elementary
Alexandra Stein – Academy for Science & Foreign Language Elementary
Karen Parden – Chaffee Elementary
April Fellman – Goldsmith Schiffman Elementary
Kristy Thompson – Lee High
Petah Kelsey-Heath – Providence Elementary
National Board Certification is considered one of the highest achievements in the teaching profession, demonstrating an educator’s commitment to student success and continuous improvement. HCS commends these educators for their hard work and dedication to enhancing student learning.
HCS actively encourages teachers to pursue National Board Certification through the Raise Your Hand campaign, an initiative designed to increase the number of National Board Certified Teachers across the three public school systems in Madison County. Launched three years ago, the campaign set an ambitious goal of raising $1 million to fund certification costs for 500 teachers.
Raise Your Hand is made possible through a partnership between the Huntsville Committee of 100, The Creative Cities Fund, and The Schools Foundation. This initiative allows HCS to cover the certification fees for educators, removing financial barriers and supporting teachers in their pursuit of excellence.
The Madison County business community has played a vital role in the campaign’s success, with local businesses providing the necessary funding to invest in the future of education. Their generous contributions help ensure that more teachers have the opportunity to obtain National Board Certification, ultimately benefiting students across the district.
Teachers interested in pursuing National Board Certification are encouraged to contact the HCS Talent Management Department for more information. Businesses wishing to support the campaign through donations can reach out to The Schools Foundation at (256) 535-2080.