Several northern Wake schools have something to celebrate. More than 40 teachers from the area recently received their National Board Certification, the highest teaching credential.

Schools who have teachers who were certified are: Brassfield, Brentwood, Durant Road, Hilburn, Lynn Road, Millbrook, Rolesville, Wildwood Forest, Wilburn and York elementary schools; Carroll, Durant Road, East Millbrook, Leesville Road and West Millbrook middle schools; and Leesville Road, Millbrook, Sanderson, Wakefield and Wake Forest-Rolesville high schools.

Double kudos to Durant Road Middle School, who led with the most teachers earn certification this year.

Teachers earned their certification in such areas as exceptional needs, math, science, reading career and technical education and counseling.

Newly certified teachers receive a one-time bonus of $500 from the Wake County Public School System.

Teachers earning certification must complete a rigorous process that includes creating a portfolio demonstrating how their classroom practices improve student achievement, according to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the organization that grants certification.