Tupelo Educators Recognized As ‘Teachers Of Distinction”

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) — Some of the top teachers in one area school district were recognized today.

The annual “Teachers of Distinction” luncheon and awards ceremony was held for outstanding educators in the Tupelo Public School District.

Each year,   The Create Foundation,  The Association for Excellence in Education, or AEE,  and the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs of Tupelo hold the awards luncheon.

Students, parents and fellow teachers nominate teachers. All those are recognized and then 21 teachers receive $1,000 apiece and three assistant teachers get $500 each.

“There’s really a collection of different endowment funds we have at CREATE where businesses and community organizations are each sponsoring one of the awards and they will actually hand the award to the teacher,” said Mike Clayborne, of the CREATE Foundation.

Seventy educators were nominated for Teachers of Distinction.

Janet Bristow, Carver
Ginger Enis, Carver
Susan Hankins, Carver
Wanda Mitchell, Carver
Cheryl Dexter ECEC
Tamla Ezell ECEC
Melinda Lee ECEC
Clarissa McCain ECEC
Melissa Turner ECEC
Morgan West ECEC
Tyler Philley Fillmore
Caren Barber Joyner
Allyson McGraw Joyner
Cathrynn Richey Joyner
Shalisa Seals Joyner
Amy Giorgenti Lawhon
Amanda Koonlaba Lawhon
Michelle Simmons Lawhon
Caroline Turney Lawhon
Anna Beth Williams Lawhon
Katherine Stafford Lawndale
Nancy Barrett Milam
Telethia Newell Milam
Denecise Salters Milam
Lesley Shields Milam
Crystal Wilson Milam
Janna Fairley Parkway
Lindsey Beasley Pierce
Faith Mann Pierce
Kimberly Smith Pierce
Nina Roberts Pierce
Angel Collier Rankin
Mollie Gratz Rankin
Lee Anne Grace Thomas St.
Cynthia Huddleston Thomas St.
Lillian McGuire Thomas St.
Heather Peeples Thomas St.
Latesha Short Thomas St.
Laurie Bishop THS
Beverly Brister THS
Tori Clay THS
Kayla Fisackerly THS
Danielle Frerer THS
Valeria Gladney THS
Marlo Hendrix THS
Susan Hester THS
Kelly Manley THS
Virginia Miller THS
Patricia Parker THS
Leslie Pleasants THS
Monica Rowe THS
Amanda Wood THS
Felisha Woods THS
Eileen Bailey TMS
Samantha Capers TMS
Sharon Davis TMS
LaShanda Garrett TMS
Anthony Golding TMS
Mary Gray TMS
Judy Harden TMS
Shasta Long TMS
Christina McCurdy TMS
Mary Webb TMS
Brookes Mays Prince Vo Tech
Karen Logan