Highlighting Excellence In The Mississippi School Systems

HOUSTON, Miss.(WCBI) – A local teacher is honored by a national organization for enthusiasm and compassion in the classroom.

The Sanford Education Program found its Mississippi winner in the Houston School District.

Jennifer Pratt doesn’t know who nominated her for the “Sanford Teacher Award”, but she’s grateful for the recognition.

The honor comes with a sizable cash prize that Ms Pratt looks forward to putting to good use for her students.

“It piqued my interest and made me think something must be brewing here,” said Pratt.

Houston Alternative Teacher Jennifer Pratt is talking about an email she got last week from the Sanford Teacher Award Center.

They wanted to know a lot of information about her teaching career such as when and where she graduated.

What she soon found out is that she’d been selected for a prestigious honor.

“I truly appreciate being recognized for the work that I do. It makes me happy to know that I truly do make a positive impact upon my student lives and that I do make a difference and that my teaching,” said Pratt.

Her anonymous nomination letter touted her outstanding work with at-risk youth in the Mississippi School Systems.

Just Ask her former student Julina Gonzalez.

“I thought she didn’t care about me. After a while, I felt that she did. Not all teachers are like that. They just give you the work and that’s all. She was different. She was caring. She actually wants you to have a good future,” said Gonzalez.

“My concept is to encourage the students to come in with open mind because everyone is someone. You’re somebody, you do matter, and your education is important to you,” said Pratt.

Pratt was selected because she excelled in areas like; enthusiasm for teaching, showing empathy and warmth toward the students, fostering positive relationships, and creating a positive work environment.

Houston High School Principal John Ellison says the program couldn’t have selected a better fit for the award.

“We know relationships make a huge difference with student. She does a good job with that and then finding ways to motivate them, to encourage them, to just have somebody to hold them accountable. She does that with those students,” said Ellison.

Pratt’s award also comes with $10,000 to be used in her classroom.

“This is a super honored to be awarded, an award of such caliber as the Sanford Teacher Award,” said Pratt.

As the Mississippi winner, Pratt is now in the running for the national award.

That winner will receive $50,000.

The award will be presented early next year.