Teachers Alisha Mayfield, Emily McCluskey receive NBCT scholarships from National Space Club
MADISON – Two educators in Madison City Schools have received scholarships for training to receive National Board Certified Teacher status.
The National Space Club via The Schools Foundation presented the scholarships to MCS teachers Alisha Mayfield and Emily McCluskey. Terry Abel represented National Space Club, which funded the scholarships.
Abel presented the scholarships at a recent meeting of Madison Board of Education. The presentation included MCS Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols, Schools Foundation Executive Director Jenne Greer, Abel, McCluskey and Mayfield.
National Board Certification was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. NBCT status is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education.
Created by teachers, for teachers, the National Board Standards represent a consensus among educators about teacher skills. Board certification is available in 25 certificate areas spanning 16 disciplines from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Mayfield works as a third-grade teacher at Columbia Elementary School. McCluskey teaches kindergartners at Madison Elementary School.
Mayfield calls Madison ‘home’ after also living in Utah, California and New Mexico. An alumna of Bob Jones High School, she then attended Brigham Young University, Calhoun Community College and graduated from Athens State University in 2015.
Mayfield has taught for three years in fourthgrade science and social studies. For two years, she taught third-grade social studies and English.
Alisa and Nate Mayfield have been married for 21 years. “Nate and I have four children — three girls (ages 20, 19 and 12) and a boy (age 14),” Alisha said.
“I’m lucky . . . I’m doing what I’ve always wanted, and that is to be a mother and a teacher!” Alisha said in her school profile (madisoncity.k12.al.us/ Domain/10).
The other recipient, McCluskey enrolled at the University of North Alabama to study elementary education and earn a bachelor’s degree in 2018 and a master’s degree in 2021. “Roar, Lions,” she said.
She and her husband, Cody McCluskey, have a son: Ethan. “Our family also includes a lovable German Shepherd named Ellie Mae,” Emily said.
“Teaching is my passion, and I truly believe that every child has the ability to learn, grow and succeed,” Emily said in her school profile (madi soncity.k12.al.us/Domain/15).
