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Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009

TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROFILE: Anisa Baker-Busby, Miller Elementary School

Class: Third grade

Experience: 5.5 years

Background: This week’s featured educator was born in Columbus and graduated across the river, from Smiths Station High School in Smiths, Ala. She attended Alabama State University, where she graduated with honors, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education. She is currently enrolled at Albany State University, where she expects to earn her certificate in education leadership this spring. She is also pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership from Argosy University, Atlanta campus. She has taught in Houston County for the past four and one-half years.

Why teaching: “Why not? What other job can you have where you are surrounded by children who are eager to learn and hungry for new knowledge? I love my job. It is so rewarding. I love to see the excitement in the children’s eyes when they learn something new or they have mastered a skill that may have been difficult. The love you receive from them by just showing them you care. The hundreds of hugs you get a day. The smiles on the children’s faces that light up the room when you walk in are so rewarding and amazing. And what other job allows you to be creative and encourage leadership within the organization? I just couldn’t think of a better profession. I love my job, my school, my students, my parents and my team.”

Best part of being a teacher: “The best part about being a teacher is seeing how much the students grow and learn from August to May.”

Most challenging part of being a teacher: “There really isn’t a challenging part, but the part that gets me most is to see a child who wants to learn something but is still struggling — you can see sometimes how they just want to give up, but you have to keep pushing them and encouraging them.”

If not teaching, what? ”I don’t know. I could not imagine not teaching. I have been doing it all my life. I come from a rich background of educators, although I do plan on stepping into the field of administration, but that is still education.”

Advice to students: “Stay focused and believe in yourself. Motivation plays a major part in a child’s success in school. If you have motivation and determination, you can accomplish any task you put your mind to.”

Advice to parents: “Be involved in your child’s education — you can never ask too many questions. Build a relationship with your child’s teacher. Let them know you care, let the teacher know that you are just as concerned — if not more — than they are. Go into the classroom and see what’s going on. Encourage parent conferences so you are informed about what is going on and how you can help your child. It is important that the child knows that you and the teacher are on the same page and same team, and the goal is for our child to have success.”

Home life: “I am married to Antonio Busby, and we have a son, Antonio Busby Jr., 4, who attends Central Fellowship Christian Academy. We attend Fellowship Bible Baptist off Dunbar Road, where the Rev. Willie L. Reed is the pastor. I am involved with Miller’s on-site tutoring at Robins Landing, nursing home visits, visitation at Ronald McDonald House to do chores for the residents and collect can tabs, canned food drives, Saturday school, Macon State partnership, parent workshops and CRCT Strategy Saturday for parents and students.”

— Jake Jacobs