CLEARLAKE OAKS— Donna Fernandez, a Lower Lake High School graduate has been recognized as a National Board Certified Teacher in mathematics for adolescents and young adults according to the National Board for Professional Standards news release. This is considered the “gold standard” in teaching certification.
Fernandez credits her former high school mathematics teacher, Kris Tyner, for encouraging her to teach mathematics. After graduating high school, Fernandez received a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and Native American Studies at U.C. Davis in 1994.
Fernandez is a member of the Elem Indian Colony in Clearlake Oaks. Her father, Richard Steward, is also a member and is known throughout Lake County as a member of the band, “Twice as Good”. Steward expresses his pride in his daughter and was one of the driving forces for her achievements in education. She also credits her mother Donna Westphal (Hober) as a major influence in her success in education and as a professional.
Fernandez has recently accepted a new position as the International Baccalaureate Coordinator for the Navajo Preparatory School in New Mexico. When students finish this rigorous academic program they are fully prepared for college, both in the United States and abroad.
Obtaining a National Board Certification means that Fernandez is recognized as an accredited teacher and will not need to go through individual state requirements in order to teach. There are 69 accredited teachers who received this award in New Mexico. She was recognized at the New Mexico state capital on Feb. 8 has now been designated as New Mexico Board of Certified Teachers Day.
Peggy Brookins, president and CEO of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards stated, “I’m thrilled to celebrate our new National Board Certified Teachers. This is a great personal accomplishment, but it’s more than that – this accomplishment is reason to celebrate the impact Board-certified teachers have on millions of students nationwide and on the teaching profession at-large.”
Prior to joining the Record-Bee as a freelancer covering education and local news items, Mary Phillips worked in education as a teacher and an administrator for 34 years
