December 22, 2009

Hilton High School's Earth Science Teacher Brian McDowell earns National Teaching Standards Certification

Hilton High School Earth Science Teacher Brian McDowell has earned a certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, one of 11 teachers in Monroe County earning the national certification this fall.  "I was first introduced to the concept of national certification from a colleague in a neighboring school district," he said. "The whole process helped me re-focus on what's important in teaching.  There are five teaching principles around which the National Board certifies which employ knowledge, collaboration, and mastery in the profession." 

Mr. McDowell teaches both Earth Science and EMT -D [Emergency Medical Technical Defibrillation] at Hilton High School.  He has been in the Hilton School District for 14 years. 

There are 999 teachers in New York state who have received the distinction, 91 of which are from Monroe County. "The National Teacher Certification program is extremely rigorous and involves about 300 hrs. of work including performance-based assessments, teaching portfolios, submission of student work samples, and videotapes," said Hilton High School Principal Brian Bartalo.  "This honor rewards those individuals who have gone 'above and beyond' to seek the highest level of professional teaching."   For further information: Mr. Brian McDowell - Earth Science