Kris Korfanta

Dear Mary Garland and the Ellbogen Foundation,

Thank you for all you have done to support teachers in pursuing National Certification and for all that you are doing to improve education across the state of Wyoming.

I think you will remember me as the first “Take One” candidate in Wyoming. I have been teaching since 1980, and have taught 3rd through 12th grade--all but one year have been in Sheridan. Throughout my career I’ve kept current with best practices in education, and have also witnessed “the pendulum” swing back and forth.

I decided to pursue the NBC after attending an informational workshop (sponsored by Ellbogen Foundation) and learned from other teachers that it wasn’t just a jump through the hoops, paperwork process, but one that truly helped the teachers become better at what they do.

The National Board Certification challenge was one of the best professional developments I have undertaken, and I have taken a lot—countless classes and workshops and a masters degree. I am impressed by the process and by the expectations of the NBCT. The key precepts are timeless and aren’t driven by fads or narrow educational philosophies. They are what truly improve teaching and learning. Part of the reward from NBCT certification process was a renewal and re-validation of good teaching strategies.

My Take One Score was very validating. The process helped me more than you can imagine as I was considering a career change. As district educational objectives place more and more emphasis on testing and political outcomes, life-long student learning is compromised due to the interest of showing short term gains. The NBC process taught me a lot about myself as a teacher, showed me where I needed to focus my energies to increase student engagement and learning, and increased my repertoire of best-practice strategies. Best of all, it motivated me to continue to teach with conviction.

I would not have been able to complete the process without the support from Ellbogen Foundation. Teaching can be stressful in the best of times. It is also incredibly time-consuming. Under my particular situation, the stress of my job was nearly health-threatening. The work sessions and financial support the Ellbogen Foundation provided were critical in allowing me to complete the process. The support provided by the workshops helped me to focus on what the questions were asking, the camaraderie and discussion with other NBCTs over delicious meals were invigorating, and the time provided by having a hotel room to work to the wee hours of the morning was invaluable.

Then, the NBCT banquet was an impressive and memorable celebration! The attention to detail, the numerous dignitaries, the conversation, the speeches, all of it was a feast. Afterwards, discussing education issues with you, Mike Massie, Rae Lynn Job, and others reminded me again, that there are so many who care about good education, and the teacher is not alone with his or her concerns about education of our youth.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done to help teachers such as me, and for all that you are doing to improve education through so many venues in Wyoming.

Very Sincerely Yours,

Kris Korfanta 


P.S. The quote: “For of those much is given, much is required” comes to mind, as I think of all your foundation is doing. I would like to help in some capacity, and do plan on attending a support provider workshop this coming year.