Summary Report of the Educator Certification Council – 2009

The Educator Certification Council met twice in 2009 – April 23-25 and November 12-14. The Chair of the Council for 2009 has been Laura McKinstry of Rochester, NY. Actions for 2009 include:

--An exploration with Dubuque Theological Seminary on distance learning opportunities

--Coordination with the PCUSA Nominating Committee. Educator Certification Council members are now elected by General Assembly and go through the nomination process. Persons interested in serving on the Educator Certification Council must make an application through the PCUSA Nominating Committee.

--Updating of the list of Reformed Theologians and religious education theorists

--Reviewed and approved the various courses and course leaders for certification courses

--Continued the relationships with APCE and Union-PSCE

--Developed an online evaluation system for grading of the certification exams

--Developed an online resource for certification advisors

--Revised the Educator Certification Advisor Handbook – now available online

Of course, the highlight and focus of every meeting is the grading and discussion of examination papers submitted by those applying for certification. We are pleased to recognize the following educators who received certification in 2009 – who were honored at the Nashville Annual Event:

Certified Christian Educators

Gloria Burns from the South Atlantic-Puerto Rico Region

Beth Burris from the East Region

Terry Hargrave from the Mid-South Region

Danna Larson from Southern California Region

Wendy Smith from the East Region

Rebecca Villarreal from the South Central Region

Certified Associate Christian Educators

Rebecca D’Angelo-Veitch, from the Northeast Region

Rhonda Haskins from the South Central Region

Gail Moore from the South Central Region

Theresa Spragins from the South Central Region

Mary Sterner from the South Central Region

You might also be interested in this report from Martha Miller, Associate for Certification and Christian Vocation:

Educator Certification by the Numbers

Certification Applications Requested so far in 2009	Certification Applications Requested in 2008
71	80

Applications Submitted so far in 2009		Applications Submitted in 2008
CCE	7	CCE	14
CACE	6	CACE	17
EEA	3	EEA	4
Total	16	Total	35

CCE Exams currently active (including those being read 11/09	CACE Exams currently active (including those being read 11/09)
21	6

Educators Currently in the Certification Process

338

Certified Educators as of 10/09

659

Visit the Educator Certification website: http://www.pcusa.org/christianeducators/certification.htm

Forrest Palmer

APCE Cabinet liaison member to the Educator Certification Council