2.+Akina+Canty+NBCT+State+Representative+for+Hill+Day+2008

Welcome to Bama’s Best

Akina Canty, NBCT with Representative Artur Davis Hill Day July 17, 2008

I currently serve as an Exceptional Education teacher at Brighton Middle School (Jefferson County School System) working with students in grades 4-6. This is my fifth year at Brighton; however this is my eighth year in education. I became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2007. I received my Master’s degree from the University of Alabama, Birmingham and my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. In July 2008, I attended the NBPTS Policy Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C. I gained knowledge of the importance of establishing and maintaining contact with your local, state, and national government officials. As a newly National Board Certified teacher I was able to see how important it is to become an advocate for all teachers and bring awareness to the National Board Certification Process. I think all NBCTs would be surprised to discover how many members of congress are unaware of the rigor involved in the process. As NBCTs it is our duty and obligation to educate the policy makers of how this process positively impacts student achievement and to thank those policy makers who continue to vote for funding candidates, candidate support providers, and bonuses. The research that NBPTS has conducted gives NBCTs a springboard for educating all citizens about the positive impact NBCTs have on student achievement. We should also use this research to encourage teachers to participate in Take One!, a NBPTS program which allows interested teachers to complete and have one entry scored or to pursue National Board Certification. I must thank the people who allow me to pursue my passion of teaching, being away from home at workshops, advocating, researching, and writing with no complaints; my husband, William, my daughter Autumn, and my angel baby Allyson. I would like to thank the Brighton Middle School faculty and staff for selecting me as the 2008 Teacher of the Year.