Va. School Sees Board-Certified Teachers As Key to Turnaround

By Jeff Archer

Mount Vernon, Va.

Lisa Holm is living a double life at Riverside Elementary School here in suburban Northern Virginia. In the mornings, she teaches reading and writing to a class of 16 1st graders. In the afternoons, she helps to sharpen the skills of other teachers in the building by leading group training sessions and offering one-on-one help.

It's the best of both worlds, she says: "I have the opportunity to teach my own students, but I also get to work with teachers throughout the school to spread that influence."

Her workday also offers a glimpse at how some schools are empowering teachers who, like Ms. Holm, are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The split schedule is part of an effort here to put a struggling school on the path to success by tapping the expertise of teachers who have been recognized by the private, nonprofit board. Along with Ms. Holm, three other board-certified teachers at the school wear the twin hats of classroom...