Mississippi Administrator of the Year (AOY)
The Mississippi Administrator of the Year Program (MAOY) recognizes outstanding achievement and performance by Mississippi school administrators and brings effective administrative practices to the attention of others. Those eligible for the award include elementary and secondary school principals and vocational-technical directors. The AOY is asked to share expertise through various presentations and activities for the improvement of education in the state.
Click here to view a list of the past MAOYs.”
Mississippi Teacher of the Year (TOY)
The Mississippi Teacher of the Year Program (MTOY) recognizes outstanding performance by our public school teachers. Each local school district may honor its teachers and nominate one for the state title. The MTOY must be a certified classroom teacher (with a standard K-12 license) in a state accredited public school that plans to teach the next year. The teacher should have a superior ability to inspire students, possess leadership capabilities, and be an active member of the community.
Click here to view a list of the past MTOYs.
2024 Mississippi Administrator and Teacher of the Year Program Sponsors
Mississippi Parent of the Year Program
The Mississippi Parent of the Year Program (MPOY) recognizes outstanding parents who have made a significant commitment to their local school through their dedication to students and their generous gifts of time and other resources. It is the vision of the Parent of the Year Program to elevate student success by honoring parents whose involvement and support contributes to a powerful effect on the success of schools.
The Milken Educator Awards Program
The Milken Educator Award is an initiative of the Milken Family Foundation. For over 30 years, the foundation has rewarded and inspired excellence in the world of education by honoring top educators around the country with $25,000 unrestricted awards. The Milken Educator Awards targets early-to-mid career education professionals for their already impressive achievements and, more significantly, for the promise of what they will accomplish in the future. Since Mississippi joined the Milken Educator Award in 1991, 77 recipients have been awarded a total of $1,950,000 for the past 30 years. Click here to watch the highlights of 30 years of surprise award and notifications in Mississippi.
For more information, visit: www.milkeneducatorawards.org
The United States Senate Youth Program
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is an amazing opportunity for motivated junior and senior high school student leaders to have direct contact with the highest-level elected and appointed officials in the nation who meet with them during a week-long intensive educational program in Washington, D.C. Students will meet with the President, a Justice of the Supreme Court, U.S. Senators, Cabinet Secretaries and many other leaders. They will visit historic sites, museums and memorials as they learn about the inner workings of the nation’s capital. Sponsored by the Senate, the USSYP mission is to encourage the best and brightest students in America’s high schools to pursue careers in public service.
Begun in 1962, the USSYP provides for all expenses, including travel and accommodations, as well as a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship for each student. Two students from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity will be selected, according to the criteria outlined in the official brochure. Additional information can be found at: www.ussenateyouth.org.
Coordinator of Special Recognition Programs
Email: shilliard@mdek12.org
Tel: 601-359-3513
