Each month, the Birmingham Board of Education recognizes the employees who go above and beyond the call of duty to make the district a better place, even when no one is looking.
These employees are critical to establishing and maintaining a positive culture and a safe, secure, and nurturing learning environment. They inspire their colleagues and our students to pursue excellence, serve others, and collaborate effectively towards common goals.
During its regularly scheduled board meeting on September 9, the board recognized the following employees…
Above and Beyond Award: Janica Dudley, Counselor at Phillips Academy
In recognition of her unwavering dedication and extraordinary contributions to our school community. Ms. Dudley consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty, dedicating countless hours beyond the school day to ensure every student receives the support and guidance they need to thrive.
With a self-motivated spirit, Ms. Dudley has initiated impactful programs and interventions that have transformed our learning environment and enriched our school culture. Through creative problem-solving and a focus on continuous improvement, Ms. Dudley has not only improved processes but also increased satisfaction among students, families, and staff alike.
Collaborative to the core, she partners seamlessly with students, parents, teachers, and staff to deliver meaningful support and promote lasting progress. Always fostering a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment, she helps others grow in confidence and resilience.
With a calm and thoughtful approach, Ms. Dudley expertly resolves conflicts and concerns, turning challenges into opportunities for growth. A tireless advocate for students, the school, and the broader community, she exemplifies initiative, perseverance, accountability, and commitment in all endeavors.
If I truly list all that she does for us at Phillips it'll take 50 pages! I can just say that we have the best counselor in all of North America!” wrote Dr. E. Nzeocha, Principal at Phillips Academy.
Performance Excellence Award: Kristin Williams, Third Grade Teacher at Phillips Academy
I am delighted to honor Miss. Kristin Williams with the Performance Excellence Award for her outstanding contributions as our third grade teacher at Phillips Academy. With a dynamic and engaging teaching style, Miss Williams brought joy and enthusiasm to the classroom, creating a fun and nurturing environment where students thrive. Her competitiveness, collaborative, and innovative approach to education, combined with a background in social work, enabled her to connect deeply with students, fostering both emotional growth and academic success.
“You may not know it walking into her classroom, but Miss Williams was teaching with an emergency certification, in third grade!” said Dr. Nzeocha. “But she made it look easy, earning her the respect of everyone in the building. Her smile lit up her children's faces everyday. When we interviewed her shortly over two years ago for the job, we knew she was immediately The One."
Miss Williams has established a well-structured classroom routine that provides stability and encourages student engagement, setting a strong foundation for learning. Her dedication to academic excellence is evident in the remarkable progress her students have achieved, consistently surpassing expectations in Reading and mathematics. By blending compassion, creativity, and high expectations, Miss Williams inspires a love of learning in every student.
Above and Beyond Award: Raquel Mosley, Eighth Grade Science Teacher at Phillips Academy
In recognition of her dedication and outstanding service to our school community. As a committed middle school science teacher, Ms. Mosley consistently demonstrates leadership, discipline, and a proactive spirit and a can-do attitude.
Ms. Mosley maintains a positive and focused learning atmosphere in the classroom, helping students grow both academically and personally. As a natural team leader, Ms. Mosley fosters collaboration among colleagues, guiding and supporting staff to achieve shared goals with efficiency and enthusiasm.
Beyond the classroom, she willingly devotes time every day to assist with dismissal traffic, ensuring student safety and smooth operations during a critical time of day. Her voice could be heard commanding cars/parents/students and yes, her colleagues, to "Keep the line moving!" She has been rained on, confronted by a few parents, and just last week lost her cellphone to a heavy rain during dismissal and replaced it without asking for reimbursement
“Ms. Mosley is everything you want in a teacher and a leader! Working with her has made me a better leader, because she will NOT let me get away with not addressing anything at all,” wrote Dr. Nzeocha.