By Staff
special to The Star
Dec. 12, 2003
COLUMBUS Six outstanding teachers have been inducted into the Mississippi Hall of Master Teachers at Mississippi University for Women.
The inductees were announced at a luncheon, where Henry L. Johnson, state superintendent of education, was the keynote speaker.
Inductees were Patricia Atkins, fourth grade teacher at East Corinth Elementary School; Gail Hammonds, gifted education teacher at Northwest Rankin Middle School in Brandon; Lynn Jones, second grade teacher at Northwest Rankin Elementary School in Brandon; Nettie Mayatt, retired life sciences teacher at West Lauderdale High; Nancy Ray, artistically and intellectually gifted education teacher at Poplar Springs Elementary School in Meridian, and Cathy Stewart, first and second grade teacher at Lafayette County Schools.
The Mississippi Hall of Master Teachers was established in 1991 to recognize educators for their excellence and dedication to teaching. To be eligible, teachers must have at least 15 years of teaching experience, including at least seven years of teaching in Mississippi schools.
Teachers were judged on the basis of professional activities, educational leadership, contributions to curriculum and course development, teaching philosophy, and influence on students and other teachers. Involvement in extracurricular activities also was a part of the evaluation.
The Hall now has 77 members, including graduates of almost every teacher education program in Mississippi, plus several from other states.
Among the finalists were Anita Boyd, speech and journalism teacher at R.H. Watkins High School in Laurel; Mary Hardy, teacher at Stern Enhancement School in Greenville; Sherrill Wiygul, Starkville High biology teacher and Mitzi Younger second grade teacher at New Hope Elementary.
The Hall of Master Teachers was held in conjunction with the Institute for First-year Teachers, which was initiated in 1993 to advise and encourage beginning teachers.