Teacher urges drive for certification

A mid-Missouri teacher says national certification pushed her beyond normal professional development. 8th Grade Math Teacher Karen Strope of Jefferson City is working on the certification advocated by Governor Holden. The governor proposes the state give nationally certified teachers an extra $5,000 a year, and an additional 10% if they mentor others. Strope says the money is nice, but the main motivation is to become a better teacher. The governor has set a goal of having 1,000 Missouri teachers obtain the national certification in the next four years.