BREWER – Two first-grade teachers decided to do extra homework and take extra tests to become nationally certified, a feat most educators do not undertake, Principal Janet McIntosh told the school board on Monday.

Nicole Higgs, a 14-year veteran teacher, and Laurie Richards, an 18-year veteran teacher, are now both nationally certified, said McIntosh, who is principal at both Washington Street and Capri Street schools.

Higgs and Richards are first-grade teachers at Washington Street School.

“It’s the highest teacher accreditation you can earn,” McIntosh said. “They took the tests in June and just last week got the letters that they made it.”

The certification is so comprehensive that it allows them to teach in every state, she said.

“Although they could go anywhere, they’ve assured me they’re not going anywhere,” McIntosh said.

After the announcement, the two teachers were given a standing ovation by the school board and those in the audience.

“It’s quite an honor,” Superintendent Daniel Lee said.

“I think we have a great group of teachers, and you guys are shining examples,” Chairman Mark Farley added.

During the meeting, the school board also:

. Recognized the Brewer High School girls cross county team for earning the Eastern Maine Championship.

. Accepted with regret the resignation of Ken Bonstein, fifth-grade teacher, who is retiring.

. Endorsed the creation of a new Environmental Club at the high school after hearing a presentation by senior Skylar Blanchard and high school science teacher Joanne Adair.

. Expanded the foreign language offerings at the high school with a fourth year of nonadvanced placement French and Spanish and the creation of a new one-credit journalism course under the tutelage of English teacher Andrea Martin.

nricker@bangordailynews.net

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