(SPRINGFIELD, Ky.) – Amy Harmon, a kindergarten teacher at Washington County Elementary School, has earned National Board Certification, according to an announcement from Washington County Schools Superintendent Dr. J. Robin Cochran. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards was installed in 1987 as the teaching occupation’s means for defining and recognizing accomplished teaching.

Amy Harmon

Harmon is a 2002 graduate of Athens Drive High School. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Lincoln Memorial University in 2006. She later earned a Master of Arts in English from the University of Kentucky in 2009 and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Louisville in 2018. Harmon has been teaching for seven years and originally started out as a substitute teacher in Washington County. “I love watching little people learn to read,” she says. “Facilitating that process will always be my favorite thing.” Harmon admitted that earning National Board Certification was tough. “The process for certification was a challenging combination of research, classroom application, reflection and writing [but] I want to continually improve my teaching and be the best I can be for the kids.”

“Achieving National Board Certification is a testament to Ms. Harmon’s dedication to excellence in education,” says Lena Bramblett, principal at WCES. “This accomplishment reflects her hard work, expertise and unwavering commitment to her students’ success. Her certification is not only a personal milestone but also a tremendous asset to our school community and students.”

“We are incredibly proud of Ms. Harmon for achieving National Board Certification, the gold standard in the teaching profession,” says Holly Elmore, who serves as chief academic officer for the district. “This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to the dedication she has to her students and her craft. Earning this certification is a rigorous, demanding process, and it not only elevates our district, but also exemplifies the high level of teaching excellence that transforms student learning and inspires educational growth. Ms. Harmon is an exceptional educator, and we look forward to the continued impact she will make in the classroom and beyond.”