Jackson, Mississippi- The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is pleased to announce that 16 Mississippi National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) have been selected to serve as NBCT Ambassadors and peer consultants. These expert educators have a mission to increase community awareness of the value, incentives, and support systems available for Mississippi teachers to become Board certified and dramatically increase the number of teachers of color who begin the Board certification process. The teachers serving in the peer consultant role will be focused on identifying barriers that prevent Mississippi teachers from seeking Board certification and working with educators, community members, and the National Board to overcome these challenges.
“National Board Certified Teachers have proven they teach to the highest standards in the profession. And data shows that in Mississippi and around the country, they make a measurable difference for students. All teachers should consider Board certification as part of their career path,” said Peggy Brookins, NBCT, president and CEO of the National Board.
These educators are working in schools and classrooms facing all of the pressures of teaching magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers are grappling with our new reality while still finding innovative ways to safely connect with students during these challenging times.
Despite these enormous tasks, they value the impacts of board certification for their students, communities, and families enough to take on this role and serve as a source of information and inspiration for other educators. The members of the team were selected based on their ability to clearly articulate the National Boards values which are embodied in the Five Core Propositions.
The Mississippi NBCT Ambassadors and Peer Consultants are committed to expanding the Board certification program and building pathways for more teachers of color to enter and fulfill the requirements of the program.
Brookins added, “As educators, recognizing the strength in diversity is key to connecting with students across lines of difference and creating a profession and education system that reflects the world we live in.”
Learn more about the 16 teachers who are working to expand diversity and opportunity for Mississippi teachers and students:
NBCT Ambassadors
- Kimberly Davis is a teacher in the Columbia School District who earned her National Board certificate in Early Childhood Literacy
- Rebecca Victor is a Math Department Chairwoman in the Holmes County Consolidated School District who earned her National Board certificate in AYA Mathematics
- Tracy Barnett is a teacher in the Itawamba County School District who earned her National Board certificate in Math AYA
- Mary Shular Taylor is a teacher in the Lauderdale County School District who earned her National Board certificate in Career and Technical Education/EATYA
- Chanda Ferguson is a teacher in the Pontotoc County School District who earned her National Board certificate in EMC: Literacy
- Carol Cannon is a teacher in the Philadelphia Public School District who earned her National Board certificate as an exceptional needs specialist
- Shawna Robinson is a teacher in the Monroe County School District who earned her National Board certificate in Mathematics/Early Adolescence
- Cassie Hudson is a teacher in the South Panola School District who earned her National Board certificate in Early/Middle Childhood Literacy
- Raimeka Brown is a teacher in Rankin County who earned her National Board certificate in Exceptional needs
- Anji Reddy Nalamalapu is a teacher in Sunflower County Consolidated School District who earned her National Board Certificate as an Exceptional Needs Specialist
- Ja’Net Blackmon is an instructional coach in Greenwood-Leflore Consolidated Schools who earned her National Board Certificate in ELA AYA
Peer Consultants
- Dr. Bridgette Muhammad is a teacher in Claiborne County who earned her national Board Certification in EC GEN
- Shanieca Adams is a teacher in the Jackson Public Schools who earned her national Board Certification in MC Gen
- Sharon Turner is a teacher in Jackson Public Schools who earned her National Board certificate in MC Gen
- Shirley Crisp is a teacher in Jackson Public Schools who earned her National Board certificate in MC Gen
- Latoria Mayfield is a teacher in West Tallahatchie who earned her National Board certificate in Literacy
“The Mississippi National Board network is proud to partner with these incredible educators who have made a commitment to ensure more teachers of color are aware of the benefits of Board certification and have the institutional support they need to be successful in the program. In times of crisis, we look to leaders like the ones on our team to bring us together and move us forward,” said Barbie Ferguson, NBCT, Deputy Director, Mississippi Professional Educators.