Tuscaloosa Sister Cities honors Sakura Art Contest winners and celebrates teacher certifications

This article was created by AI using a video recording of the meeting. It summarizes the key points discussed, but for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Link to Full Meeting

The Tuscaloosa City Schools Board held its regular meeting on April 1, 2025, focusing on student achievements and teacher recognition. The meeting commenced with a presentation from Shelley, the executive director of Tuscaloosa Sister Cities International, who celebrated the winners of the annual Sakura Art Contest. This contest, part of the Sister Cities program, encourages students to express their creativity through art, with this year's theme being "the heartbeat of global peace." Over 35 students participated, and winners were recognized in various categories. Abigail Maldonado took first place in the elementary category and also won best in show. Other notable winners included Gilda Escobar and Kylie Keane in the elementary section, while Avian Morris won first place in the senior high division.

Following the art contest presentation, the board recognized the achievements of 2025 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) during NBCT week. Rachel Goggins, the national board support coach, highlighted the rigorous process teachers undergo to achieve this certification, which is linked to improved student performance. Tuscaloosa City Schools has seen a significant increase in the number of active candidates for board certification, ranking second in Alabama for the number of active candidates in 2024. Eight teachers achieved certification in December 2024, with expectations for 25 to 30 more to achieve certification by December 2025. Currently, there are 60 certified teachers in the district.

The meeting concluded with a recognition ceremony for the newly certified teachers, emphasizing the district's commitment to professional growth and excellence in teaching. The board expressed gratitude for the dedication of both students and teachers, reinforcing the importance of arts and education in the community.

Converted from Tuscaloosa City Schools Regular Board Meeting - April 1, 2025 meeting on April 01, 2025
Link to Full Meeting

Comments

    View full meeting

    This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.

    View full meeting

    Sponsors

    Proudly supported by sponsors who keep Alabama articles free in 2025

    Scribe from Workplace AI
    Scribe from Workplace AI