Bowie teachers receive the ‘highest honor in America’

Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005

Click here to enlarge this photo Lawrence Jackson Jr.⁄The Star Right, Samuel Ogle Middle School teacher William Moulden helps sixth-graders Monica Brice (left) and Brittney Arrey balance their scale as they work on a lab project on sponges. Moulden recently became a nationally certified teacher. Click here to enlarge this photo , Rockledge Elementary School resource teacher Amy Evans applies a gentle touch as she helps Chana Krame, 10, with math problems at the school in Bowie..

On Dec. 8 Evans and Samuel Ogle Middle School teacher William Moulden each received recognition for becoming certified to carry that love of teaching to any school in the United States.

Both are Bowie teachers who have attained National Board Certification – an honor they said is the highest any teacher in America can receive.

‘‘Mrs. Evans is always in pursuit of excellence and knowledge,” Rockledge Principal Pam Landry said.

Evans specializes in Special Education and teaches pupils who have been diagnosed with a learning disability, ADD⁄ADHD, are emotionally impaired or are autistic.

Along with her immediate responsibilities as the special education resource teacher, Evans has created innovative programs that help pupils at Rockledge. One of the programs that Evans has created, named Great Leaps, is designed to build reading fluency

As part of the program she teaches parents to improve their child’s reading fluency at home. Also she has four volunteer parents who come to Rockledge and help the pupils in her program.

‘‘She trains parents in several programs, one in particular is named Great Leaps,” Landry said.

Evans is a highly respected member of the staff and her leadership ability is uncanny, Landry said. Evans is the special education chairperson at the Bowie school

‘‘She is willing to pass and receive knowledge, I am grateful to have her as a staff member and Evans is highly community oriented,” Landry said.

Just a few minutes away from Rockledge Elementary school, Moulden has also become an integral part of the community.

‘‘William has a real passion for science and education,” Principal Kathleen Brady said.

Moulden has been a science teacher at Samuel Ogle for 17 years and said the road traveled to receive his National Board Certification was a difficult one.

‘‘I enrolled in 2001 but had to go overseas to Saudi Arabia. Then I re-enrolled in 2002 and completed my assessment last spring,” Moulden, an Army reservist, said.

Moulden is the sixth-grade science teacher at the school, who has become entrenched in the students lives and community.

‘‘His class sponsors several programs such as treats for troops and is also involved with the Chesapeake rescue fund,” Brady said.

When a teacher earns their National Board Certification, they are qualified to teach anywhere in the country. NBC evaluation includes designing, and diversity instruction, whole group and small group instruction and the applicant must undergo a three-hour test. The evaluation is a year-long process.

‘‘This was the hardest thing I have ever done in education,” Moulden said.

Both Evans and Moulden received grants from Prince’s George’s County Public schools. To become funded the National Board Committee reviews the strength of each application and determines which applicant is most deserving of the grant.

‘‘Attaining your National Board Certification, is comparable to a doctor receiving his or her MCAT or a lawyer passing the Bar, the National Board Certification is very thorough,” Moulden said.

At the county school board meeting last week, the board recognized both Evans and Moulden for having received their National Board certification.

E-mail Marcus Ngbea at mngbea@gazette.net