Nineteen Bellevue School District educators passed the criteria to become National Board Certified Teachers in 2013. The district’s elementary schools gained a slim majority of the new certifieds, taking 10 overall.

Elementary school teachers awarded certification were Tracy Nishimura Shulman of Bennett, Karen Greytak of Enatai, Stephanie Brown of Newport Heights, Karen Berry and Christina Maricich of Phantom Lake, Katherine Kikawa of Sherwood Forest, Allison Snow of Woodridge; and Jennifer Hampshire, Ann Harkness and Melinda Pederson of Somerset.

Middle school teachers awarded certification were Joseph Achelpohl and Shari Gehrke of Chinook, and Jenni Eicher of Highland.

Sammamish High School gained the greatest number of certified teachers of any campus. They were Adrienne Dickinson, Kimberly Kaufman, Kevin Kincaid and Lisa Neshyba. Interlake High School gained Taryn Hope and Rachael Yeager.

Certification is an advanced teaching credential offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. It requires a rigorous review process, including self analysis of teaching methods, video submissions of classroom teaching and evidence of student growth and achievement under the teacher.