July 27, 2017
JACKSON, Miss. – Angel Barnes, a mother of four children in the Jackson County School District, was named the 2017 Mississippi Parent of the Year.
Nominated by the school district, Barnes has been actively involved at St. Martin Attendance Center for over 23 years, starting when her oldest daughter entered kindergarten in 1993. While teaching at St. Martin Middle School in 2013, Angel was recognized and featured on WLOX-TV for her efforts to reach out to students by producing a short play, The Bully Game. The show was performed for students in grades 4th through 8th and helped them to understand the devastation bullying can cause and to realize that most victims are usually not so different from themselves.
During her children’s elementary and middle school years, she served as room mother, mentor/tutor, guest reader, team mom, Reading Fair judge, and Parent-Teacher Organization president. She made herself available in numerous ways from making copies to coordinating successful fundraiser talent shows.
Research has repeatedly shown that parental involvement is a critical factor determining the academic success of students. As part of the annual Parent of the Year program, the Mississippi Department of Education asks each district to select an outstanding parent who has made a significant impact on school improvement efforts in the school district.
The committee reviewed numerous applications submitted by school districts. As a result, the committee selects a Parent of the Year from each of the four congressional districts. From those four district winners, the 2017 State Parent of the Year is determined.
Parent of the Year Finalists
The Congressional District 1 finalist is Sharicka Gray, who was nominated by Lowndes County School District for her commitment to supporting public education for serving as an example of what parental involvement means. She has one child who attends Lowndes Elementary School.
The Congressional District 2 finalists are Mr. & Mrs. Timmy and Albertstein Pickett, who were nominated by the Madison County School District for having true passion for the community and the well-being of all students, not just their own. They have two children who attend schools in the district.
The Congressional District 3 finalist is Kathy Bourgeois, who was nominated by Pearl Public School District for her unwavering support of school and district functions. She has a son in the 12th grade at Pearl High School.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519