Human Resources: ABCTE Teaching Certification Program Issues 2000th Certificate to Aspiring Missouri Math Teacher

(Vocus/PRWEB ) November 25, 2009 -- The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence announced that the non-profit organization has issued its 2000th teaching certification to Heather Herd of Branson, Missouri who received her certification in math. A former controller, Herd is currently substitute teaching, has applied for her state teaching license and will soon begin looking for a full-time position.

"I chose ABCTE because the traditional way of getting certified was going to take two years if I went full-time, cost $8,000 and it would have taken an hour each way to drive to the college campus," says Herd. "Because I have a family, it wasn’t feasible."

I chose ABCTE because the traditional way of getting certified was going to take two years if I went full-time, cost $8,000 and it would have taken an hour each way to drive to the college campus

Because I have a family, it wasn’t feasible.

With ABCTE, you do it when you have time, at home on your computer. I could do it while the baby was sleeping and that was great. I didn’t have to lose all my family time

I’ve always liked math and took classes in it during college while pursuing a minor in it. I gravitated toward accounting and convinced a boss to let me do the books. He let me become controller for his business of three hotels.

As a controller, I had to juggle and improvise. I was also involved in opening new portions of the company. I was required to think on my feet. I had to figure out how to explain something to a controller versus a salesperson. Students also learn in different ways

Math and science are high-need subject areas and I’m thrilled that the recipient of our 2000th certification is focused on a critical area, like so many other ABCTE alumni and current candidates

It was not much more than a year ago that we celebrated our 1000th certification. I look forward celebrating many more milestones in the future as we work hard to produce great teachers.

ABCTE offers an online teaching certification program. The rigorous program gives candidates the flexibility to prepare for exams in their subject area and on professional teaching knowledge on their own time. ABCTE includes over 250 hours of content and pedagogy to ensure teachers are ready to help increase student achievement.

“With ABCTE, you do it when you have time, at home on your computer. I could do it while the baby was sleeping and that was great. I didn’t have to lose all my family time," explains Herd.

Herd, who attended Oklahoma State University, also brings real world experience to the classroom. “I’ve always liked math and took classes in it during college while pursuing a minor in it. I gravitated toward accounting and convinced a boss to let me do the books. He let me become controller for his business of three hotels.”

“As a controller, I had to juggle and improvise. I was also involved in opening new portions of the company. I was required to think on my feet. I had to figure out how to explain something to a controller versus a salesperson. Students also learn in different ways,” says Herd, who is full of examples of how she can bring her job experience into the classroom.

With her focus on math, Herd also addresses an area where teachers are needed most. “Math and science are high-need subject areas and I’m thrilled that the recipient of our 2000th certification is focused on a critical area, like so many other ABCTE alumni and current candidates,” said ABCTE CEO Dave Saba. “It was not much more than a year ago that we celebrated our 1000th certification. I look forward celebrating many more milestones in the future as we work hard to produce great teachers.”

Missouri is one of nine states where ABCTE certification is accepted for public schools. To date, more than 1,000 residents of Missouri have enrolled in the ABCTE program and over 200 certifications have been issued there.

To learn more about ABCTE, visit www.abcte.org or call 877-668-2229.

ABCTE
The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence is a non-profit organization, dedicated to recruiting, preparing, certifying and supporting dedicated professionals to improve student achievement through quality teaching. ABCTE is accepted in nine states and offers an innovative teacher preparation and certification program for highly knowledgeable individuals who want to change careers and become teachers.