Six ACPS Educators earn CSIS designation
Six Amherst County Public Schools Educators Earn Prestigious School Improvement Credentials
Amherst County Public Schools (ACPS) is proud to announce that six division educators have earned the Certified School Improvement Specialist (CSIS™) credential after successfully completing the TeamED! Learning and Performance Journey through The Institute for Performance Improvement (TIFPI).
The newly credentialed educators are Natalia Cecil, Ruth Matheny, Joshua Neighbors, Itzel Nogueras, Ron Proffitt, and Robin Wheeler.
The CSIS credential recognizes professionals who demonstrate the knowledge and practical skills needed to guide collaborative improvement efforts, address complex challenges, and support meaningful, sustainable results. Unlike professional learning programs based solely on participation, this performance-based certification requires recipients to demonstrate how they apply what they have learned to real-world challenges.
hroughout the program, the six ACPS educators demonstrated a strong commitment to professional growth, collaboration, and continuous improvement. They applied research-based methods, tools, and processes to authentic school improvement priorities while supporting one another in analyzing challenges, strengthening improvement strategies, and translating learning into practice.
“Strong schools are built by dedicated professionals who are willing to learn, collaborate, and continually look for ways to improve,” said Superintendent Dr. Melody Sheppard. “We are incredibly proud of these six educators for investing in their professional growth and developing skills that can strengthen our schools and support student success. Their accomplishment reflects the commitment to excellence and continuous improvement that we value throughout Amherst County Public Schools.”
The educators were recognized during a graduation celebration on November 3, 2026. During the event, each awardee shared examples of how they have applied the program’s tools and processes to address performance improvement priorities.
“This experience strengthened my understanding of how to approach school improvement in a thoughtful, intentional, and collaborative way. I gained practical tools and strategies that I can apply to real challenges, helping us move beyond identifying problems to developing solutions that lead to meaningful, lasting improvement,” said Dr. Ron Proffitt, Central Elementary School Principal and Certified School Improvement Specialist.
“School improvement has always been a team effort, and our time together has reinforced the importance of collective commitment to our shared goals for student success. As we have learned, we must ask the right questions, use that feedback, and allow evidence to guide our decisions and improve results. I look forward to applying our experience to support our school teams as we work together to improve learning for all students.” said Joshua Neighbors, ACPS Chief Academic Officer and Certified School Improvement Specialist.
Amherst County Public Schools congratulates Natalia Cecil, Ruth Matheny, Joshua Neighbors, Itzel Nogueras, Ron Proffitt, and Robin Wheeler on this significant professional achievement. Their dedication to learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement strengthens the division’s collective efforts to create the best possible educational experiences and outcomes for every student.