Nikki Barnes was the first Black classroom-based teacher in the state of Virginia to achieve National Board Certification, and with that significant accomplishment as a driving reminder, she has always embraced a personal responsibility to strengthen the teaching profession and improve student learning. Ms. Barnes possesses over 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher and teacher leader advocating for quality public schools for America’s neediest children. Her classroom experience includes teaching middle and high school English/Language Arts and English Language Learners in an elementary setting. Ms. Barnes has also been engaged in an array of teacher leader activities at the district, state and national level. As the NBCT-in-Residence at the Center for Teacher Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University, she developed a National Board candidate support program and conducted research focusing on the needs and perceptions of teacher leaders. As a senior staff member at the National Education Association, she focused on increasing the number of minority candidates passing state teacher licensure exams and advancing legislation and policies that provide support and funding for high quality mentoring and induction programs. A strong supporter of the National Board process, Ms. Barnes worked to develop programs, policies and practices that positively impact the number of minority candidates who complete and achieve National Board Certification.