FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 3, 2010
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

Educators recognized at Mississippi Hall of Master Teachers ceremony at MUW

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

This year’s inductees were Amy Bishop, who teaches AP and gifted English at DeSoto Central High School in DeSoto County School District; Gina Guess, a fourth grade teacher at Caledonia Elementary School; Terry Wiygul, who teaches AP biology, physics anatomy and physiology at Caledonia High School; and Charles Yarborough, social studies teacher at the Mississippi School for Mathematics & Science.

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.

Finalists were Martha Nell Hanna, second grade teacher at Madison Crossing Elementary School in Madison, and Leigh Ann Henderson, kindergarten teacher at Thomas Street Elementary School in Tupelo.

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.