PICKENS COUNTY — School district officials announced last Thursday that another 19 teachers in the county have done what it takes to get national certification.

That makes a total of 143 teachers who’ve earned the highest credentials available in their profession while working for the School District of Pickens County, according to spokesperson Julie Thompson.

Teachers earning national certification include this year include: Chuck Conrad of Easley High School; Kelli Erickson of Central Elementary; Janet Hardin of Ambler Elementary; Michelle Hawkins of Liberty High School; Todd Howard of Daniel High School; Janet Littlefield of Forest Acres Elementary, Leanne Masters of Pickens Middle School; Amanda McJunkin of East End Elementary; Miriam Nelson of Forest Acres Elementary; Rebecca Page of East End Elementary; Lance Porter of Liberty Elementary; Lee Qualkinbush of Daniel High School; Tamela Ross of Pickens High School; Darleen Sutton of Pickens Elementary; Tracy Todd of Easley High School; April Tolley of Liberty Middle School; Stephanie Whitmire of Crosswell Elementary; Regina Wilson of Ambler Elementary and Tonya Wilson of Ambler Elementary.

“We are extremely proud of the 19 teachers who achieved national certification this year,” said Dr. Henry Hunt, superintendent. “The certification process is rigorous, requiring intense reflection and evaluation.”

“I congratulate each one of these individuals for their dedication to professional growth, for their hard work and for their tremendous sacrifice,” he said. “Truly, they are committed to providing excellent instruction and success for all students in Pickens County.”

Those seeking national certification must go through a two-part process that can take from one to three years, according to Thompson.

“The process requires them to reflect on their classroom practices, their understanding of subject material and their preparation techniques,” she said.

Teachers must prepare a portfolio with video tapes of classroom teaching, lesson plans, student work samples, and reflective essays.

They must also complete assessment center exercises based on content knowledge that proves not only that they have mastered the subjects they teach, but also that they know how to teach them, Thompson said.

But teachers reaching this goal in the future may not get extra state compensation for their efforts.