Teachers gain national certification

PEA RIDGE — Ashley Clark and Rebecca Allen, teachers at Pea Ridge Primary School, have worked hard both at teaching, and as students. Both women earned their national board certification this year.

Both teachers were honored at last week’s School Board meeting and will receive pay increases as well as a state stipend award. Allen is the library media specialist and Clark teaches first grade.

“I can’t tell you how hard they’ve both worked,” Keith Martin, principal, said. “They really worked hard through a process that makes you a great teacher.”

Across the state, 312 teachers have attained their national board certification. Arkansas ranks sixth among the 50 states in the number of new National Board Certified teachers this year. The state awards an additional $5,000 annual bonus for up to 10 years to a teacher who becomes nationally certified.