Science teacher joins elite group of educators

By Ray Pitz

The Sherwood Gazette, Feb 5, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Submitted photo / Sherwood Gazette

Sherwood teacher Jeffrey Crapper with a student.

ADVERTISEMENTS

A Sherwood Middle School science teacher has been awarded certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, making him among an elite group of educators throughout the nation.

Jeffrey Crapper, who teaches eighth grade science, anatomy and sports medicine at the middle school for six years, was notified in December that he received the certification. "It's … the highest certification you can get in teacher," he said. "Every state basically recognizes it."

Founded in 1987, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards was founded to create a system of advanced teacher certification based on high and rigorous standards with certification designed to recognize teachers who meet those standards.

"It was basically a one-year process," said Crapper.

Last March, Crapper sent in his application, which included a portfolio consisting of numerous aspects of how he teaches, along with a video showing him organizing science class discussions, and an analysis of teaching strengths and weaknesses. In addition, he had to document his accomplishments regarding student learning, displaying his ability to work with Sherwood families and the community, his personal development as a learner and working as a school leader and collaborator.

In the end he ended up sending in about 100 pages of materials. Also, he had to take six standardized tests.

Originally believing his strongest score would come from connecting to the community, he scored lowest in that particular assessment. Unfazed, Crapper resubmitted that portion of the applicant process, scoring much higher.

"Basically I had to give five to six specific examples of how I worked with my community and how it was impacted," he said.

Examples included work Crapper did in tutoring three at-risk students. One of those students was a boy who had been expelled from the school.

"(That student) ended up graduating and basically brought his GPA up one full point," said Crapper, noting that the student now plans to enroll in college with a goal of majoring in business and someday opening a skateboard shop. The youth also wants to help other teens who struggle with fitting in at high school.

1 | 2 Next Page >>