FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 4, 2009
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

Five inducted into Mississippi Hall of Master Teachers at MUW

COLUMBUS, Miss. - The Mississippi Hall of Master Teachers ceremony at Mississippi University for Women recognized five educators for exemplary dedication on Friday.

This year’s inductees were Emelda O. Bryant, a mathematics teacher at Alexander Junior High in the Brookhaven School District; Joyce Deer, a mathematics teacher at North Pike High School in Pike County; Pam McAlilly, a gifted teacher at Pierce Street Elementary School in the Tupelo School District; Mary McCoy, a fifth grade teacher at Starkville Academy; and Charlotte Wilson, a retired second grade teacher from Hamilton Elementary School in Monroe County.

The Mississippi Hall of Master Teachers was established in 1991 to recognize educators for their excellence 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 their 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 110 members, including graduates of almost every teacher education program in Mississippi, plus several from other states.

Among the finalists were Jo Ann Blount, kindergarten teacher at Bayou View Elementary School in the Gulfport School District, and Martha Nell Hanna, second grade teacher at Madison Crossing Elementary School in Madison County.

The Mississippi 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.

The Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Charitable Foundation sponsored both events.