Midway, China Spring ISDs Celebrate Excellence with Inaugural National Board Certified Teacher Pinning Ceremony

Jan 28, 2025

min read

Midway ISD proudly hosted its first-ever National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) Pinning Ceremony January 27, celebrating the accomplishments of seven newly certified teachers and 15 educators who previously earned, renewed, or maintained their NBCT status.

Midway & China Spring ISD National Board Certified Teachers — NBCT Teachers (left to right, bottom row to top row) Amy Gregory (CS), Tammy Johnston, Kathleen Minshew, Sarah Stubbs (CS), Lindsey Stevens, Krista Basinger, Ben Kosarek, Vanessa Dulock, Molly Sanders, Cheryl Baker, Amy Roenfranz, Abigail Traylor, Kathy Lentz, Annie Jones, Wendi Singletary, Nancy Patel, Stacy Spink, Valerie Taylor

“Achieving National Board Certification is no small feat,” Kathleen Minshew, Midway ISD’s National Board Facilitator and District Mentor Coordinator said. “This process required deep reflection, a rigorous assessment, and countless hours analyzing instructional practices. We celebrate not just your accomplishment but your dedication to making a lasting impact on education.”

The Midway Cohort of the National Board Certification program, launched by Midway ISD in 2020, has grown into a collaborative effort now co-led by China Spring ISD. Together, the districts have expanded the program to include educators from Temple ISD and Chilton ISD, reflecting a shared mission to elevate the teaching profession and positively impact students across the region.

"The achievement of National Board Certification is a reflection of the incredible talent we have right here in our local schools," said China Spring ISD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Leslie Smith. "We are grateful for our partnership with Midway ISD as we work together to support our teachers through the certification process."

National Board Certified Teachers — NBCT Teachers (left to right) Abigail Traylor, Cheryl Baker, Stacy Spink, Krista Basinger, Amy Roenfranz, Sarah Stubbs (CS)

The seven newly certified teachers from 2024 include:

Abigail Traylor, 1st grade, Hewitt Elementary (Early Childhood Generalist)
Cheryl Baker, History, Midway High School (Social Studies-History)
Sarah Baranowski, History, Midway High School (Social Studies-History)
Stacy Spink, 1st grade, Castleman Creek Elementary (Early Childhood Generalist)
Krista Basinger, English, Midway High School (English Language Arts)
Amy Roenfanz, PreK, Hewitt Elementary (Early Childhood Generalist)
Sarah Stubbs, 2nd grade, China Spring Elementary (Early Childhood Generalist)

“The National Board Certification process is rigorous and transformative,” Midway ISD Superintendent Dr. Chris Allen said. “These teachers’ dedication to this journey speaks volumes about their passion for their craft and their commitment to student success. This program is about more than professional development—it’s about making a difference in education.”

The ceremony featured special guests John Dudley, Senior Manager for District Engagement, and Cheryl Corpus, Director of Candidate Support, from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

“We travel the country to see these programs and teachers in action and we are so excited to be here today to celebrate your accomplishment with you,” Dudley said.

The honorees received custom bronze pins for new certifications and gold pins for renewals or maintenance. The program aligns with the Texas Education Agency’s Teacher Incentive Allotment, allowing NBCTs to achieve a Recognized designation while benefiting from financial incentives.