Hamilton School District is proud to announce that Kristi DeJong and Amy Ciesielski have earned National Board Certification, one of the highest professional distinctions in the field of education. This achievement places them among the nation’s most accomplished educators recognized for their commitment to excellence and measurable impact on student learning.
DeJong is a sixth grade teacher at Silver Spring Intermediate School. Ciesielski teaches music at Maple Avenue Elementary School.
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Cathy Drago says the Hamilton School District is honored to have teachers like DeJong and Ciesielski. “Achieving National Board Certification represents one of the highest professional honors in education. It reflects not only exceptional instructional expertise, but also a deep commitment to continuous growth and to the students we serve,” Drago explains.
Silver Spring Intermediate School Principal Deanna Wellens calls DeJong an exceptional educator. “Her veteran experience and kind, consistent teaching style have made a lasting impact on countless students,” shares Wellens. “Her National Board Certification is a direct reflection of her excellence and dedication. Kristi stands out for her highly organized approach to the curriculum and her genuine love of literacy. Furthermore, she is a tremendous asset to our community due to her clear, effective communication with parents and her generosity in sharing successful resources and strategies with her colleagues.”
“Amy is warm, playful, nurturing, fun and kids connect with her,” explains Maple Avenue Elementary School Principal Katie Ritchie. “She is authentic which allows kids to be themselves as well. Her instruction is balanced, engaging for kids and grounded in standards. Ritchie calls Ciesielski’s fourth grade concerts exceptional. “Watching her lead the students while they played ‘Eye of the Tiger’ on recorders was so amazing! It entirely changed the way I thought about recorders,” adds Ritchie. “She is an absolute gem and an incredibly positive person!”
National Board Certification, granted by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), is a voluntary, rigorous, multi-year process that evaluates a teacher’s instructional practice against nationally recognized standards. Candidates complete extensive portfolio work, classroom videos, student assessments and a content knowledge exam to demonstrate deep expertise and dedication to high-quality instruction.
Hamilton School District is honored to now have seven National Board Certified Teachers serving students. In addition to DeJong and Ciesielski, we are proud to share that these staff members are also recipients of their National Board Teaching Certification:
- Rebecca Abler, Silver Spring Intermediate School
- Peter Dargatz, Woodside Elementary School
- Alan Simays, Hamilton High School
- Rhonda Watton, Templeton Middle School
- Nicholas Weiss, Hamilton High School