The Sumner School Board hosted a reception Dec. 10 to honor its new national board-certified teachers. Honored were Cheryl Roper, Jennifer Fruehauf, Nancy Nybo and Jason Vander Hoek of Bonney Lake High; Chris Clayton, Kim Franett-Fergus and Jen Peters from Sumner High; Scott Sousa and Pam Noble of Crestwood Elementary; and Jeanne Ossman, Maple Lawn Elementary. This brings the number of district teachers certified in 2008 to 10.

The certification is the highest credential earned in the teaching profession and is based on rigorous standards and evaluating teaching practices through performance-based assessments, said Ann Cook, communications director for Sumner School District.

“The definitive result is increased academic achievement for our students,” she said.