Claussen earns National Board Certification

The Bartlesville Public School District now boasts 34 National Board Certified teachers in its ranks after Alex Claussen recently learned of his status. The BPSD’s supervisor of instrumental music, Claussen earned his certification in the area of “Music: Early Adolescence Through Young Adulthood.” He began toiling toward his certification while still working

in Sapulpa – shortly before joining the BPSD in the fall of 2008 – as the process typically requires an annual average of 500-plus hours of work. “I’m really excited to now have my certification,” says Claussen. “I’m relieved to know that my hard work has been rewarded.”

National Board Certification is awarded by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. One of the goals of the NBPTS is to help develop professional standards which define what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. The organization administers National Board Certification, which is a voluntary assessment program that certifies educators who meet those standards. A rigorous process, it can take up to three years to complete. Nationwide, approximately 8,600 educators earned their National Board Certification in 2010, including Claussen, who learned of his status late last month. He was among the 225 teachers in Oklahoma who earned their certification, giving the Sooner State the 10th highest total nationwide this year. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards initially began offering certification in 1987, and since that time, 2,820 Oklahoma educators have earned theirs. Nationwide, more than 91,000 teachers have earned their certification. The BPSD saw four of its educators earn their certification last year – James Johnson, Shelly Ryan, Darla Gardner and Angela Holcomb. Under Claussen’s leadership, the BPSD instrumental music program has soared to new heights. Last month, the Bruin Brigade Marching Band finished 10th in the finals of the 2010 Oklahoma Bandmasters Association State Marching Band Championship, marking

the second consecutive year in which the group had qualified for the finals. Earlier this month, several Bruin musicians took part in the second annual Bartlesville Tuba Christmas, a festive event which Claussen originated in town and coordinates. Now that Claussen has earned his certification, it will span for 10 years, at which time he would be eligible to pursue his re-certification if he so chooses. “I’m really thankful to my friends and family for allowing me to make the sacrifices to make this happen,” says Claussen. “The support of my students and their parents – as well as that of my colleagues was vital, also. “It took several hundred hours of effort to make this happen, but it was worth it.”