National Board-Certified Educator Dedicated to Student Success: Teacher Jennifer Godfrey’s Story 

National Board-Certified teacher Jennifer Godfrey’s career spans more than three decades and reflects an unwavering commitment to student success. Teaching since 1990, she has dedicated her life to helping children learn, grow, and believe in themselves – in both traditional and virtual classroom settings. As one of the original educators at West Virginia Virtual Academy (WVVA), Godfrey brings experience and heart to her work, combining rigorous professional standards with a genuine love for teaching. 

Why West Virginia Virtual Academy  

Godfrey has been with WVVA since its inception in 2022 and played a key role in launching the school, giving her unique perspective on WVVA’s mission and growth. She remains motivated by the impact she has on students’ lives and learning. 

“I enjoy it when the light bulb comes on for students,” Godfrey said, “When you teach them something and they get it and it’s going to help them.” 

What keeps her coming back to WVVA is what a great option it is for students struggling in a brick-and-mortar setting. Godfrey first saw the power of virtual schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“During this time, I observed several students thrive in ways they had not in the traditional classroom,” she said, “They give a variety of reasons, but it all comes back to how they feel successful at WVVA.” 

Students who were previously struggling, shy, or isolated, started to excel. 

“Participating in class through Teams sessions and engaging with content electronically seemed to remove barriers, allowing students to demonstrate their abilities more confidently and consistently,” Godfrey said, “This experience convinced me that virtual learning holds an important and meaningful place in education.” 

As WVVA has grown, Godfrey sees the school’s expanding enrollment as further evidence of its impact. 

“The numbers keep growing, and the numbers are telling us that there is a place for this kind of schooling,” she said. 

A Commitment to Excellence 

Godfrey’s dedication to her profession is perhaps best exemplified by her pursuit of National Board Certification, a rigorous and respected credential in education.  

She first pursued certification in 2005 while teaching in a brick-and-mortar school in North Carolina.  

“It was rigorous the first time I initially tried,” Godfrey said, “It took me every bit of a year to complete four components in the portfolio. It is very intense.” 

Godfrey has renewed her National Board Certification multiple times, adapting the process to new roles and learning environments. 

“I renewed the certification in 2016 with my most recent renewal this year, 2025,” she said, “It was much easier because it required less work. However, it was a whole new way of thinking because my job assignment was virtual.” 

While the renewal process itself was less demanding, teaching in a virtual setting required Godfrey to rethink her approach to instruction. This shift became especially clear during the reflection component of the National Board Certification, widely regarded as one of the most challenging aspects of the process due to the persistence and thought it requires. 

“Every decision had to be intentional, specific, and meaningful,” Godfrey said, “As a result, I wrote, rewrote, revised, and rewrote it again for nearly a year. While the process was draining, it was also deeply rewarding. It forced me to recognize that the work I was asking my students to complete was purposeful and worthwhile. I felt genuine pride in the impact I had made at my school.” 

Growth and Adapting to Virtual Teaching 

Godfrey credits WVVA’s leadership with supporting her continued growth as an educator. The virtual setting not only benefits students but provides teachers with opportunities to expand their skills and better meet student needs. 

Through that support, Godfrey earned an additional certification to better serve students. 

“I earned a teacher license add-on for special education, and now I am teaching special education students,” she said, “The school supported me by encouraging me to add this endorsement and held a job placement for me in the special education department, and they paid for my test fee to take the Praxis in special education.” 

The Reward  

For Godfrey, the certification process is about more than credentials, but about effective teaching and improving student learning. 

“Working toward your certification is rewarding because you validate what you are doing in your career,” she said, “You learn what is important to teach, and how to present the material to students to ensure they are learning. That’s all we want, isn’t it? Students learning?” 

At the core of Godfrey’s experience at WVVA is the teachers and the shared commitment to students. 

“The best part I would have to say is the people that I work with,” Godfrey said, “They all have an interest in children’s well-being and success.” 

Through her leadership, experience, and passion for students, WVVA teacher Jennifer Godfrey exemplifies how a strong virtual school and a dedicated, National Board-Certified teacher can work together to help students and educators thrive. 

Learn More About WVVA and Its Certified Educators 

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