Auburn's Ron Podmore, a math and American Sign Language instructor at Decatur High School, recently achieved National Board Certification, making him one of the few select master teachers in the nation.

"Being a part of a growing movement that measures highly effective teaching on a national scale is a reward in of itself," Podmore said. "I know on a daily basis, when I reach out to kids on their worst day, that sometimes I am their best hope. That is a reward in itself."

Podmore received his masters degree through Lewis & Clark College in Portland. A certified K-12 school principal, Podmore is among the 82,000 teachers in the country who have achieved board certification and is among only 25 deaf teachers in the nation who possess the certificate.

Podmore was the 1999 PBS Golden Apple recipient (Seattle-KCTS). He also is the authorized biographer to Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.