North Cook News

The Barrington School Board recently celebrated some of Barrington Community School District’s teachers for a certification achievement.

The board recognized some teachers at their Jan. 10 meeting and congratulated them on achieving National Board Certification, according to a video of the meeting posted on the school district’s YouTube page.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards provides certification for teachers who go complete their program. It is a highly respected and prestigious certification and, though not required, designates a teacher as one of the best, according to comments made in the video.

Everyone who spoke at the meeting shared how challenging the program was and how amazing it feels to complete it.

"But I will tell you, it's one of the most rigorous things a teacher can step forward and do,” Barrington Superintendent, Robert Hunt, said. “And it's a very reflective process that improves how you approach instruction every single day. And I just commend the hard work and the dedication of those who step forward and participate in this program."

Three teachers were recognized during the meeting. The district provides the teachers with facilitators and coaches to aid them through the process, and those mentors presented the teachers to the board.

The three teachers who were recognized are Ernest Lane, a Barrington High School math teacher who has taught in the district for 15 years, Cristi Barry, a fifth-grade teacher at North Barrington Elementary School with 19 years in the district, and Tracy Parr, a second-grade teacher also from North Barrington Elementary School with 19 years in the district.

The district has 40 teachers who have received National Board certifications, according to the video. The teachers thanked the board for supporting and continuing the program.