High School Teacher Receives National Certification

North Babylon High School Earth science teacher Betsy Luna has been named a National Board Certified Teacher. The National Board Teacher Certification is an advanced professional certification that challenges teachers to closely examine their practice and impact on student learning. The certification processes, which can take up to five years, requires educators to submit classroom videos, analyze student work and provide written reflections that connect instructional decisions to student outcomes.    
            Ms. Luna has been an Earth science teacher in North Babylon High School for the past 25 years, teaching in the same classroom she was in as a former student. 
National Board Certification was developed for teachers, by teachers, as a voluntary, advanced teaching credential representing professional acknowledgement of accomplished teaching practice in 25 certificate areas. There were just 60 teachers who received certification in 2025. Across New York State, there are 2,456 NBCTs. 
            Ms. Luna received her certification in Earth and space science, grades 7-12. “The program is incredibly challenging over several years,” she said. “We are examining the practices of education and its impact on students and their learning. It connects instructional decisions with student outcomes.” Ms. Luna spent much of her research looking at the ENL population and determining their needs and educational strategies that would work for them specifically. 
            She also conducted research on how home life affects her entire student population. Ms. Luna collected data on students and their families to better understand what they bring to the classroom. “It’s really a deeper level of learning about students and understanding how you can use that data to make you a better practitioner,” she said. “Every child has a different learning style, and I learned to understand how we can use that information to make them more successful.”
            At North Babylon High School, Ms. Luna is also a part of the Environmental Civics Action Club, Computer Club, Photography Club and e-Sports Club. She is also affiliated with the NASA Climate Research Initiative and the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University.