Eleven local teachers are among 42 in Maryland who have earned certification this year from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). This brings the total of nationally certified teachers in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to 16.

The surge this year of MCPS teachers earning the prestigious certification is reflected statewide, where nearly three times the 1999 number successfully completed the NBPTS certification process.

About 9,000 teachers nationwide hold this certification, which demonstrates superior teaching skills.

The NBPTS certification process encompasses an extensive yearlong series of performance-based assessments which include teacher portfolios, students work samples, videotapes, and thorough analyses of the candidates' classroom teaching. Teachers also complete a series of written exercises that test their subject-matter knowledge and teaching skills.

Nationally certified teachers in Montgomery County Public Schools receive a stipend of $4,000 a year for ten years. After ten years, national certification must be renewed. Half of the stipend is provided by the school system, and the other half is awarded through the state Quality Teacher Incentive Act, which matches local school system contributions.

Among the local teachers awarded certificates this year are two high school teachers, two middle school teachers, five elementary school teachers and two teachers currently working in the central office, one as a staff development specialist and one as an instructional technology specialist.

The teachers who were awarded certification this year, their school or office, and field of concentration are:

-Nanette Dyas, Montgomery Blair High School, Adolescence and Young Adulthood/Mathematics

-Lelia F. Dyer, Walt Whitman High School, Adolescence and Young Adulthood/Mathematics

-Cynthia M. Eldridge, Division of Technology Training, Middle Childhood/Generalist

-Estelle G. Flank, Harmony Hills Elementary School, Early Childhood/Generalist

-Lynda R. Hiltz, Forest Oak Middle School, Early Adolescence/Social Studies-History

-Lisa A. Koenigsberg, Beverly Farms Elementary School, Early Childhood/Generalist

-Anita R. O'Neill, Germantown Elementary School, Middle Childhood/Generalist

-Jay Savage, Argyle Middle School, Early Adolescence/Science

-Karalee L. Turner, Department of Staff Development, Early Adolescence/Social Studies-History

-Lelah G. Wilkerson, Cedar Grove Elementary School, Middle Childhood/Generalist

-Maria W. York, Twinbrook Elementary School, Middle Childhood/Generalist