Greene Early College HS student, teachers reach national spotlight
Greene Early College High School’s National Board Certified Teachers, from left: Josey Thompson, Heather Davis, Natasha Martin, Cameron Gupton and Beth Rasberry. Submitted photo.
A senior at Greene Early College High School, Ivanya Johnson plans to attend Hawaii Pacific University after graduation. Submitted photo.
SNOW HILL - Student Ivanya Johnson and two teachers - Natasha Martin and Cameron Gupton - at Greene Early College High School have earned recognition on the national stage.
A senior, Johnson has been selected through a national competition to be the next student explorer for Xploration Awesome Planet program. She will travel to Hawaii to swim, learn and study sharks alongside Phillipe Cousteau, grandson of the famous explorer Jacques Cousteau and OneOcean Company.
Johnson leaves Jan. 14 and the adventure will be featured on a special episode in Season 6 of of Xploration Awesome Planet that will air April or May 2020.
Teachers honored
A pair of East Carolina University graduates, Martin and Gupton each earned National Certified Board Teacher recognition earlier this month.
Martin teaches English. Gupton teaches history.
Martin and Gupton are graduates of East Carolina University. They become the fourth and fifth teachers at Greene Early College to earn national accolades. They join Heather Davis (math), Josey Thompson (science) and Beth Rasberry (school counselor).
Greene Early College High School’s National Board Certified Teachers, from left: Josey Thompson, Heather Davis, Natasha Martin, Cameron Gupton and Beth Rasberry. Submitted photo
The most-respected professional certification available in K-12 education, the National Board Certification is designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers; and to generate ongoing improvement in schools.
Teachers submit written critical analyses of their teaching and the impact they have on student learning. They also video themselves teaching and take a content-specific assessment as part of the process. Candidates must display a deep understanding of their students, their content, use of date and assessments and teaching practices.
Nearly 4,000 teachers nationwide achieved NBCT recognition this year.
"Both of these teachers are truly deserving of this recognition," said Rodney McNeill, principal at Greene Early College HS. "I have had the privilege of working alongside them for the past six years. They are both dynamic and great at what they do for education.
"It is great to see them recognized nationally. They are now officially amongst the best of the best. Half of our teachers are National Board Certified. That's pretty impressive."