“I started to learn how powerful art is by sharing it and seeing how I can make a difference in other people’s lives,” says the Summit Academy Secondary School – Akron art teacher, whose giving spirit was celebrated on March 17 in front of some 20,000 basketball fans. Standing at center court at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Bishop received the NBA team’s prestigious Head of the Class award before the Cavs’ game against the Washington Wizards.

Summit Academy Secondary School – Akron Head of the Class-honored teacher, Keytsa Bishop, is shown with NBA players Jordan Goodwin of the Wizards (left) and Mamadi Diakite with the Cavs (right), prior to the March 17 Cavs-Wizards game. Bishop attended Bedford City Schools from kindergarten to 12th grade.

“The calm, safe atmosphere alone that she creates in her classroom speaks volumes about the high-quality teacher that she is,” says Summit Academy Executive Director of Special Education Erica Richley-Duda.