April 22, 2015
WHO: The Mississippi Department of Education and the Mississippi Teacher Center will announce the 2015 Mississippi Teacher of the Year (MTOY) and the Mississippi Administrator of the Year (MAOY) at an annual luncheon. Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education, is scheduled to speak, as well as national education author Dr. Todd Whitaker.
WHAT: The Teacher Center recognizes outstanding educators from across the state. Each school district selects a District Teacher of the Year and District Administrator of the Year. Following an intensive selection process, four congressional district winners are chosen from district award recipients. Finally, one teacher earns the MTOY recognition and one administrator earns the MAOY recognition.
WHEN: Thursday, April 23, 11 a.m.
WHERE: Jackson Convention Center
WHY: Mississippi's Teacher of the Year receives a one-time $5,000 salary supplement from the Mississippi Department of Education and represents Mississippi in the National Teacher of the Year competition. Mississippi’s Administrator of the Year also receives a $5,000 stipend.
The MTOY and MAOY will be selected from four congressional district finalists. The four congressional district finalists in each category are as follows:
Administrator of the Year Finalists
- Stephanie Gilder, Hernando Hill Elementary in DeSoto County Schools
- Fannie Green, Camden Elementary in Madison County Schools
- Kevin Cheatham, West Lauderdale High School in Lauderdale County Schools
- Dr. Patrick Gray, Oak Grove Middle School, Lamar County Schools
Teacher of the Year Finalists
- Paula Whitaker, special education teacher, Oxford Elementary, Oxford Public Schools
- Leigh Curtis, gifted teacher, Eastside Elementary, Clinton Public Schools
- Ginger Tedder, economics/U.S. History teacher, Starkville High School, Starkville School District
- Anna Morris, 2nd/3rd grade teacher, Oak Grove Lower Elementary, Lamar County Schools
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519