Excellence In Education Award

Alabama 2018 Excellence in Education Winner - Sheikla Blount

Sheikla Blount has worked in education for 33 years, all of which have been with the Shelby County School System. She was a kindergarten teacher for the first 19 years. For the past 14 years, she has served as a school library media specialist. She currently works in this capacity at Columbiana Middle School.

Sheikla grew up in Andalusia, AL and now lives in Maylene, AL. She earned multiple degrees from the University of Montevallo. During her education career, Sheikla has served on numerous committees and held many leadership positions. She has forever been a mentor to new teachers. Currently as a member of the Alabama School Library Association, she serves as National Board Candidate Support Provider for library candidates pursuing national board certification.

Supporting her kindergarten class and library program, she has written and received over twenty grants to fund activities and special projects.

In addition, Sheikla has received the following awards and recognitions: 2004 Charles E. Carr Award for an Outstanding College Library Media Student; 2007 National Board Certification; 2010 Herman Moore LAMP Award of Exceptional Service; 2013 Charter & First Educators’ Credit Union Academic Team of the Week; 2017 LifeChanger of the Year Nominee; I Love My Librarian 2017; Alabama Alpha Delta Kappa 2018 Excellence in Education Award; and 2018 Lois Henderson Presidential Award.

Alabama 2016 Excellence in Education Award winner - Becky 'BWOK' Walker

Becky (BWOK) is the Choral Music Teacher and Fine Arts Department Head at Douglas Middle and High Schools where she teaches and mentors over 400 students each day. An active member of Alabama Beta Kappa, BWOK served as the Alabama Altruistic Chairman from 2012-2016 and from 2008-2010 helping raise thousands of dollars for Children's of Birmingham.

Her contributions to education include:

• Private tutoring-no charge-to ensure student potential

  • Accompanist for solo/ensemble and college scholarship auditions

  • Collect School Supplies for Sunshine School at Children’s of Birmingham, AL

  • Mentoring new teachers in the school system throughout their first year of employment

  • Veterans’ Day Program merited a presidential proclamation presented by President George W. Bush

  • Taught and guided students in preparing for auditions at the American Music Drama Academy in New York City where one student was accepted out of the one hundred they select each year and where twenty-five graduate. He graduated.

  • Students selected to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City six years in a row-Title One School

  • Arranged and choreographed Sisters In Education performances to raise money for altruistic projects

  • Write Thoughts For The Day (TFTD) everyday to inspire colleagues and students

BWOK's Professional successes include:

• • 2014-2016-State Altruistic Chairman for Alabama

  • 2015-International Music Director for Alpha Delta Kappa in Salt Lake City, Utah

  • 2013-2015-Chairman of the International Fine Arts Grant Board, Alpha Delta Kappa

  • 2012-2014-State Altruistic Chairman for Alabama

  • 2014-2016-President of Beta Kappa Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa

  • 2013-Recognized for Thirty-Five Years of Outstanding Leadership in Music Education presented by the National Music Educators National Conference

  • 2010-2012-State Chaplain for Alabama Alpha Delta Kappa

  • 2009-2015-Member of the International Fine Arts Grant Board

  • 2008-2010-State Altruistic Chairman for Alabama

  • 2008-2010-President of Beta Kappa Chapter

  • 2007-2008-Marshall County Secondary Teacher of the Year

  • 2007-2008-Douglas High School Teacher of the Year

  • 2007-True American Hero Award presented by the American National Guard of Alabama

  • 2004-Named Unsung Hero Award of Marshall County, Alabama

  • Accompanist for State, Gulf and International Conventions-Alpha Delta Kappa