The Walker County Board of Education recently recognized exceptional teachers and administrators for service to their schools, communities and profession.

Heather Culberson, assistant principal and educator of the gifted at Chattanooga Valley Elementary, received a certificate of board recognition for serving on Georgia's 2009 Robert C. Byrd Scholarship essay component evaluation team. Known for her innovative work in the advancement of educational programs for gifted students, Culberson was selected by Dr. Joseph W. Serle Jr., director of Georgia Department of Education Student Honors and Awards, to serve on the state scholarship evaluation team. The Byrd Scholarship helps students continue their post-secondary education.

Allan Massey, a mathematics instructor at Ridgeland serving in the Freshman Academy, received a certificate of board recognition for meeting the standards for National Board Certification from the Board of Directors of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certificate in Adolescence and Young Adulthood Mathematics. Similar to Georgia Performance Standards, National Standards require candidates to demonstrate a commitment to students and their learning, knowledge of teaching practices and continuing professional development that includes contributing to the professional community.

Chastity Steadman, a Georgia master teacher and math instructor at LaFayette Middle School, received a certificate of board recognition for being selected by the National Council of Teachers of mathematics to be a presenter at this year's Regional Teachers of Mathematics Conference and Exposition focusing on the theme, "Connections: Linking Concepts and Context". The conference brings together math educators from preschool through university levels to examine methods of evaluating student understanding of math. Steadman presented her program, "Shuffling, Sorting and Sharing: Structuring Success for Everyone".