Ashley Williams CVTPima JTED Veterinary Science teacher Ashley Williams, CVT, has distinguished herself as a National Board Certified Teacher, an honor considered the gold standard of teaching.

National Board Certification is earned by teachers who meet rigorous standards through a performance-based, peer-reviewed series of assessment components. The four major components focus on content knowledge, differentiation in instruction, teaching practice and learning environment, and being an effective and reflective practitioner.

Ms. Williams joined Pima JTED last year, and teaches at the JTED @ Amphi Land Lab. The Pima JTED Governing Board will recognize her achievement at their regular meeting Tuesday, Jan. 15. She will also be honored Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Tenth Annual Celebration of Accomplished Teaching, held at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass.

According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards website, the process of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher offers the following benefits:
  • Students learn more. A decade of research shows that students of Board-certified teachers learn more than their peers without Board-certified teachers. Studies have also found that the positive impact of having a Board-certified teacher is even greater for minority and low-income students.
  • Teachers improve their practice. Board Certification allows teachers to hone their practice, showcase their talent in the classroom and demonstrate their dedication to their students and their profession.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to excellence. Schools with National Board Certified Teachers are characterized by better teacher morale and retention and increased community involvement. Districts and schools that want to drive student learning recognize the power of Board certification and are taking steps to empower and raise the status of accomplished teachers.
The National Board has advanced the teaching profession by establishing and maintaining the definitive standards of excellence in teaching and certifying more than 118,000 educators against those standards.