Keesler Sailor wins Navy instructor award Published April 7, 2011 By Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Raymond Lee Keesler Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Aerographer's Mate 1st Class Petty Officer Cynthia Burton is the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training E-6 instructor of the year for 2010. AG1 Burton, an instructor for the aerographer's mate A1 school at Keesler, competed with instructors from all 35 CNATT units. It's the first time a Navy member from Keesler has been selected for the honor, according to Dr. Robyn Parsely, curriculum instructional standards department head and chairman of instructor of the quarter and year boards for CNATTU Keesler. "We've never had a Sailor reach this level of competition," Dr. Parsely said. "Approximately 10 years ago, we had an instructor selected to compete at a similar level, but Staff Sgt. Larry LaLonde was a Marine." AG1 Burton's accomplishments include serving as course instructor supervisor, master training specialist certification, an associate of arts degree from Coastline Community College and more than 600 hours of community service. She's secretary of the command's morale, welfare and recreation committee; diversity team chairperson, a volunteer income tax assistance representative, United Services Military Apprenticeship Program coordinator and assistant staff general military training coordinator. "It's a pleasure to help Sailors with their personal and professional needs as they continue to make the transition to military life," AG1 Burton said. "At every graduation I feel a tremendous sense of pride as I watch the young men and women receive their certificates, state their next duty station and walk off with heads held high. There's nothing that compares to that moment in an instructor's career. The students are my inspiration to continue to be the best I can for the next students to come." AG1 Burton now competes for Naval Education and Training Command honors.