Joliet Public Schools District 86 Board of School Inspectors and Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse recognized Thomas Jefferson Elementary School teacher Diana Yang and Woodland Elementary School teacher Dawn Bates at their January school board meeting for earning National Board Certified Teachers Designations.

Diana Yang renewed her National Board Certified Teacher License and Dawn Bates received her National Board Certified Teacher and Master Teacher Designation on the Illinois Professional Educator License.

"We are proud of these teachers for receiving this certification," said Dr. Theresa Rouse, Superintendent of Joliet Public Schools District 86. "They put in a lot of hard work for this honor and are dedicated to our students."

Diana Yang has taught over 33 years and is currently a bilingual Kindergarten teacher at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. Dawn Bates, currently a second-grade teacher at Woodland Elementary School, has been a teacher for 12 years and with Joliet Public Schools District 86 since 2011.

National Board Certification was created to develop, retain, and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate continuous improvement in schools throughout the country.

In order to become a Board certified teacher, teachers complete a performance-based, peer-reviewed application, demonstrating their proven impact on student learning and achievement.