NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: March 12, 2019
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) announced this week the finalists for the 2019 Administrator of the Year and the 2019 Teacher of the Year.
The Mississippi Administrator of the Year program honors an administrator who demonstrates superior ability to inspire teachers, employs exemplary leadership practices and participates as an active member of the community. The recipient will receive a $5,000 stipend and will share expertise through various presentations, professional development, and activities for the improvement of education in the state.
Likewise, the Mississippi Teacher of the Year program recognizes exemplary teachers in the state. The award recipient will be asked to share expertise through various presentations, professional development, and activities for the improvement of education. The recipient also will receive a $5,000 stipend and will represent Mississippi in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
The recipients will be announced March 29, 2019 beginning at 11 a.m., Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson.
2019 Mississippi Administrator of the Year Finalists
Congressional District 1 Finalist: Amy Tate Barnett, Principal
Pierce Street Elementary, Tupelo Public School District
Personal Philosophy Snapshot: Mrs. Barnett believes that “students deserve a school climate and culture developed to provide safe havens academically and socially.”
Congressional District 2 Finalist: Valarie Davis, Principal
Rosa Fort High School, Tunica County School District
Personal Philosophy Snapshot: Dr. Davis believes that “all students can learn if they are provided the educational environment to thrive and grow.”
Congressional District 3 Finalist: Lee Pambianchi, Principal
Northshore Elementary, Rankin County School District
Personal Philosophy Snapshot: Dr. Pambianchi believes that “a love of learning must be instilled in our students.”
Congressional District 4 Finalist: Mandy Lacy, Principal
DeLisle Elementary School, Pass Christian School District
Personal Philosophy Snapshot: Mrs. Lacy believes that “all students can learn when actively engaged in the learning process and held accountable for their learning while communicating effectively with parents.”
2019 Mississippi Teacher of the Year Finalists
Congressional District 1 Finalist: Hannah Gadd, Teacher
(6th – 12th grade Choir Director and Music Appreciation)
Lafayette High School, Lafayette School District
Personal Philosophy Snapshot: Ms. Gadd believes that “M.U.S.I.C. can be used as a tool to help Motivate, Understand, and Sculpt Independent Citizens in and out of the classroom by providing opportunities for collaborative growth while fostering a joy for learning about music and the world around them.”
Congressional District 2 Finalist: Monique Cocroft, Teacher
(3rd – 5th grade English/Language Arts and Social Studies)
Moorhead Central School, Sunflower County Consolidated School District
Personal Philosophy Snapshot: Ms. Cocroft believes that “all students are able to learn according to their own learning style.”
Congressional District 3 Finalist: Krileshia Boyd, Teacher
(3rd grade English/Language Arts and Social Studies)
Northeast Lauderdale Elementary School, Lauderdale County School District
Personal Philosophy Snapshot: Ms. Boyd believes in “teaching every student the grade level standard for that particular subject and differentiating instruction in smaller groups to provide that enrichment or intervention so that all students can be successful and show growth.”
Congressional District 4 Finalist: Charlene Stephens, Teacher
(6th grade Social Studies)
Pass Christian Middle School, Pass Christian School District
Personal Philosophy Snapshot: Mrs. Stephens believes that “students learn best when they actively participate in their own learning.”
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Director of Public Relations
601-359-3519