Twelve more Renton School District teachers received national board teaching certification this year.

The district now has about 42 board certified teachers, according to the press release.

The certification process is rigorous, taking some teachers about 400 hours to complete.

Candidates submit six exercises and four portfolios that include student work samples and videotaping the classroom.

Renton teachers meeting the high standards demonstrated their knowledge and application of curriculum and proven teaching techniques, according to the release.

Washington ranked second in the nation this year for the number of its teachers that received certification. North Carolina was first.

The state now has 1,248 board-certified teachers and ranks fifth nationally in the total number of its teachers that are certified under the program, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

About 82,000 teachers are certified nationally with nearly 8,900 joining the ranks this year.

The state offers a loan to pay for the $2,565 certification costs, which teachers pay back when they receive their first bonus.

In 2007, the state legislature approved $5,000 stipends for educators who go through the certification process.

The 12 teachers are language arts teacher Athena Nadeau, Renton High School; instructional coach Kelly Rudie, Lakeridge Elementary; math teacher Stacey Snyder, Renton High; first-grade teacher Margaret Strong, Hazelwood Elementary; fourth-grade teacher Andrea Johnson, Highlands Elementary; second-grade teacher Malinda Krisel, Highlands Elementary; reading teacher Doug LeClair, Dimmitt Middle; social studies teacher Jennifer Meyer, Renton High; English as a second language teacher Ellen Barrett, Highlands Elementary; social studies teacher Renee Barut, Nelsen Middle School; English as a second language teacher Robert Conway, Renton High; and second-grade teacher Deborah Crabtree, Highlands Elementary.