Meet This Year's National Board Certified Teachers
January 28, 2010

Congratulations to the 17 PWCS teachers profiled below who have earned National Board Certification, the highest attainable professional certification for teachers in the nation. These teachers join nearly 100 PWCS teachers who are nationally certified.

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an independent, non-profit organization governed by classroom teachers, school administrators, school board leaders, governors and state legislators, higher education officials, teacher union leaders, and business and community leaders.

The mission of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is to establish high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do; to develop a national voluntary system to assess and certify teachers who meet these standards; and to advance related education reforms to improve student learning in American schools. The standards support a vision of teaching based on five core propositions, which are:

1. Teachers are committed to students and their learning;
2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students;
3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning;
4. Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience; and
5.Teachers are members of learning communities.

Kristen Augsburger
Mathematics/Adolescence– Young Adulthood
Battlefield High School

When asked to describe her favorite thing about her career, Kristen Augsburger says, “I get to be a stand-up comedian, a coach, cheerleader, counselor, teacher, secretary, life coach, nerd, and all other aspects of myself in each period of my day.” She eagerly takes on the daily challenge to be better, more aware, more flexible, and more responsive to her students, peers, and administration. “I look forward to that first day of school each year,” she shares.

Ms. Augsburger attended the University of Georgia Southern where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary math education. She went on to earn her master’s degree in educational leadership from Georgia College and State University. She began her teaching career in Georgia before relocating to Virginia.

Melissa Callaghan
Generalist/Early Childhood
Cedar Point Elementary School

“What a privilege to be allowed to make a difference in the lives of children,” says Melissa Callaghan. Taking to heart the advice of a principal who said, “No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship,” she strives to make a personal connection with each of her students. “I pride myself on having a strong knowledge of content; however, that would mean nothing if I did not also have a strong knowledge of each individual child,” she says.

Ms. Callaghan studied as an undergraduate at Syracuse University where she received a bachelor’s degree in public relations and political science in 1986. She began her teaching with PWCS in 1997 after earning a master’s degree in education from Marymount Univeristy. She has taught second grade at Sudley Elementary School and Cedar Point Elementary School.

Heather Davids
English Language Arts/ Adolescence–Young Adulthood
Osbourn Park High School

Heather Davids says, “Seeing the ‘lightbulb’ moment is unbeatable.” Her teaching philosophy is very simple. “Keep things interesting in the classroom and try not to be boring. A huge part of this is making what I am teaching relate to my students directly.” She influences her students in two ways: “First, I try to instill in them a sense of empowerment to take control of their own lives through the creation of personal connections; second, no matter what we’re working on, I never let them settle for mediocre results.”

Ms. Davids earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Old Dominion University and a master’s degree in teaching of English grades 7–12 from New York University. She has also completed additional course work at the graduate level at George Mason University. She has been teaching English at Osbourn Park High School since 2001 and taught English for Arlington County Public Schools prior to that.

Diane Dunn
Mathematics/Early Adolescence
New Dominion Alternative Education Center

“The thing I love the most about teaching is that I am helping build people,” says Diane Dunn. She explains how rewarding it is to know that she had a part in guiding children towards their dreams. She enjoys helping develop the adults who will run our world one day. “I love seeing the ‘kids’ who come back after they graduate and tell me what they’ve done with their lives so far and the wondrous plans they have for the future.”

Ms. Dunn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and a Master of Education degree, both from George Mason University. She first came to PWCS as a student teacher in 1998. She has taught at Stonewall and Bull Run Middle Schools and currently is on the faculty at New Dominion Alternative Education Center. 

Julie Faith
Social Studies/Adolescence–Young Adulthood
Stonewall Jackson High School

“I believe the best teachers are also the best students,” says Julie Faith, who teaches IB psychology, history, and geography and considers herself a lifelong learner. She feels that learning new, exciting, and interesting things is the best way for her to teach things that are new, exciting, and interesting. “I am constantly working to improve and supplement my body of knowledge and teaching methods,” she says. “No matter what stresses or challenges I face…at the end of every day, I can reflect positively on the interactions I have had with my students.”

Ms. Faith holds a bachelor’s degree in education from James Madison University with a major in interdisciplinary social science and a minor in secondary education in the humanities. She earned a master’s degree in history from George Mason University. She has been teaching at Stonewall Jackson High School since 2004. 

Brenda Hayden
Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence–Young Adulthood
Stonewall Jackson High School

“Teaching the objectives set forth by the curriculum is only the beginning,” says Brenda Hayden. “It is my goal that students see themselves as their own greatest advocates.” She strives to have students learn how to search out the answers to their questions through research and inquiry, skills that will enable them to become lifelong learners. “Instruction is followed by assignments that allow students to not only practice the skill taught but to expand that skill to create a product that they can claim as their own,” she adds.

Ms. Hayden completed her undergraduate studies at the University of South Florida, receiving a bachelor’s degree in business education. She holds a Master of Arts degree in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She joined PWCS as a faculty member at Stonewall Jackson High School in 2000. 

Margaret Hopkins
Library Media/Early Childhood–Young Adulthood
McAuliffe Elementary School

Margaret Hopkins loves collaborating with all of the teachers at her school. This gives her a broad view of what is going on and what the teachers need. “I love to help people and for me this is the perfect job to help both students and teachers,” she says. “My overall goal as a librarian is to be able to help create an atmosphere where students will want to come for enjoyment as well as information, teachers will always feel supported, and both will see it as a place that is essential for lifelong learning.”

Ms. Hopkins received a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious education with minors in social studies and language arts from Baptist Bible College. She continued her studies at St. Cloud State University, at Northern Virginia Community College, and then at Marymount University, where she earned her Master of Education degree. She holds a gifted education endorsement from George Mason University and a library media specialist endorsement K–12 from University of Virginia. 

Bobbie M. Mandro
Career and Technical Education/ Early Adolescence–Young Adulthood
Gar-Field High School

“I am grateful for the privilege of teaching life skills (relationships, parenting, wellness, problem-solving, communication, leadership) to a variety of students,” says Bobbie Mandro. She has tried to instill in her students a belief that anyone can achieve what they are striving for when they set goals. As a guided mentor and even a motherly figure, she hopes that she has “empowered her students to value life and to be able to identify their own values.”

Ms. Mandro has been a substitute teacher, reading specialist, and LD resource teacher with PWCS. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in home economic education from the University of Arizona. She earned her master’s degree in education as a reading specialist from George Washington University and received her special education LD endorsement from the University of Virginia. 

Susan Mangicaro
Mathematics/Adolescence–Young Adulhood
Brentsville District High School

“I want my students to know that failing at something is not the end of the world. I let them know that I am human, too. I make mistakes,” says Susan Mangicaro. “I love it when I can take a student that comes into my room believing she/he cannot do math, and helping that student learn to believe…that they can learn math.” She likes helping students build their self confidence so that they believe they can do anything they put their minds to. “To have a student come back and tell me how well they are doing and thank me for helping them is the greatest part of all,” she says.

Ms. Mangicaro received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, both in education, from State University College at Buffalo. She taught mathematics at East Aurora High School in New York before coming to teach in PWCS at Potomac High School in 1999. She moved to Brentsville District High School in 2000. 

Janice McCurdy
Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood–Young Adulthood
Gar-Field High School

For students to be successful, Janice McCurdy says it all comes down to the students’ believing in themselves and their ability to achieve. “I maintain and project a strong belief in each of my student’s ability to learn, and in turn I help individual students develop the confidence and beliefs that he or she can read, write, and succeed in school to the best of their individual ability,” she says. She also teaches students the skills to advocate for their own educational needs and accommodations.

Ms. McCurdy received a Bachelor of Science degree in consumer/community services from Michigan State University and a Masters in Education in special education NK–12 from Marymount University. She has been a special education teacher in grades 9–12 at Gar-Field High School for 11 years. 

Amanda Proch
Literacy: Reading–Language Arts/ Early and Middle Childhood
Marshall Elementary School

Sharing her philosophy in teaching, Amanda Proch explains, “I teach with passion for my content and genuine interest in the lessons I create.” By using technology, she seeks to improve the learning experience for all her students. “My goals are for students to teach each other, learn from each other, and challenge themselves to meet and exceed expectations while creating a community where they can feel successful,” she says.

Ms. Proch earned her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Duquesne University and received a Master of Education degree in elementary education from the University of Central Florida. She began teaching in Orlando, Florida before relocating to Virginia. She joined PWCS as a second-grade teacher at Victory Elementary School before moving to Marshall Elementary School. 

Christopher Proch
Art/Early Adolescence–Young Adulthood
Gar-Field High School

“To be a successful teacher you have to know what students need to learn and the best way for them to be able to retain this information,” says Christopher Proch. He develops and challenges students’ creativity so they will leave his classroom equipped with the tools to express their ideas visually and have the knowledge to problem solve and overcome the difficulties they encounter in their lives. “Teaching is exciting when students come into the classroom excited about creating. I see to it that each day the students at Gar-Field have the opportunity to be in a creative environment that provides an outlet to express their thoughts, ideas, goals, and dreams.”

Mr. Proch teaches art and has been the art department chair since coming to Gar-Field High School in 2005. He earned his bachelor’s degree in studio arts from Duquesne University with minors in art history and psychology. He holds a master’s degree in art education from the University of Central Florida. 

Krystle G. Quinlan
Generalist/Early Childhood
Coles Elementary School

Krystle Quinlan says that a quote by 19th century author, historian, and professor Henry Brooks Adams sums up why she loves teaching: “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” Her classroom is student-centered and based on students’ individual learning styles. She believes that when given the proper tools and motivation, all students can be successful and enjoy learning. “With each new day I see my students taking ownership in their learning and trying to accomplish tasks more independently. As their reading and writing improve, I see how proud and confident they become.”

Ms. Quinlan has been a first-grade teacher at Coles Elementary School since 2005. Prior to coming to PWCS, she taught preschool in Cortland, Ohio. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary/early childhood education from Youngstown State University, Ohio in December 2004. 

Jennifer Roberts
Generalist/Middle Childhood
West Gate Elementary School

Jennifer Roberts has created a place where students can feel safe and respected regardless of their abilities or background. Of her classroom, she says that “Low-level English speakers, special education students, and general education students all know that they are not only able to succeed, but that success is expected of them.” Her philosophy has two tenets, innovation and knowing one’s students. “I love to take new teaching strategies and ideas, tweak them to fit my kids, and use them to help my students achieve success,” she says.

Ms. Roberts received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and economics from Tulane University. She earned a master’s degree in teaching from Johns Hopkins University. Prior to joining PWCS in 2005, Ms. Roberts spent six years teaching English in Japan. She is currently a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher and team leader at West Gate Elementary School. 

Connie Schumacher
Social Studies-History/Early Adolescence
Stonewall Middle School

“It is my job to teach [my students] the curriculum; however, they learn best when they know the adult standing before them truly likes them and respects them as people,” says Connie Schumacher. She does her best to lead her students by example, greeting each of them by name, talking to them in the halls, attending extra curricular events, and otherwise showing genuine interest in them. She says her philosophy is one of mutual respect. “What I enjoy best about teaching is seeing my students grow and learn—not just in my classroom but in life,” says Ms. Schumacher.

Ms. Schumacher teaches seventh- and eighthgrade civics and economics at Stonewall Middle School and is also the grade-level leader for the seventh-grade team. She came to PWCS from Florida in 2003. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history from University of North Dakota and a master’s degree, also in history, from University of Cincinnati. 

Judy Swank
Library Media/Early Childhood–Young Adulthood
Swans Creek Elementary School

“I want all students to get excited about the possibilities when they walk into a library,” says Ms. Swank. By immersing students in a world of literature and exposing them to books and genres that they may not normally choose, she feels she is fostering lifelong readers. “I enjoy seeing students grow as readers and learners, the thrill when they find the ‘just-right book,’ and when they offer to read me stories from their book boxes,” says Ms. Swank.

Ms. Swank has been with PWCS since 1981 and joined the faculty of Swans Creek Elementary School in 2001. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from George Mason University. She earned library/media certification from Virginia Commonwealth University. She was a nominee for the 2009 School Library Media Specialist of the Year for the Virginia Educational Media Association in the Potomac Region. 

Laura A. Whitman
English as a Second Language/ Early Adolescence–Young Adulthood
Potomac High School

In addition to being their teacher, Laura Whitman considers herself an ally to her students as they encounter their new country and school. She stays in touch with her students’ parents, other teachers, and school staff to ensure the success of each individual student. “Every year my ESOL classroom changes in terms of students’ language, culture, and content backgrounds. I am constantly adjusting to my current students’ needs, rather than simply relying on what worked the year before. Every day brings new opportunity for me to help young people both in an academic sense, and in a human sense.”

Ms. Whitman earned her bachelor’s degree with a major in Spanish and a minor in linguistics from University of Pittsburgh in 2003. She earned her master’s degree in education from George Washington University in 2005. She is in her fifth year as an ESOL teacher at Potomac High School. 

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