"This

program is extremely difficult and rigorous. It is important that candidates

have a support system. A teacher in isolation will have a hard time passing,"

says Gaspierik.

As more teachers

in Fayette become nationally certified, Gaspierik says the goal is to

have them become teacher leaders for specific certification areas. For

example, a teacher whose area is high school English would work only with

candidates who are seeking certification in that subject matter.

Gaspierik says

national certification is attractive to teachers because it offers them

prestige and an increase in pay.

"I would

say that the increase in pay is the number one motivating factor for most

people because it is a significant pay increase. Some teachers view national

certification as better than going