FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 11, 2011
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

LINK event to celebrate city, county and private school teachers at MUW

COLUMBUS, Miss. – As part of American Education Week, approximately 1,000 teachers, from public and private schools, will be celebrated at Mississippi University for Women on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

The program is being sponsored by 4-County Electric Power Association, Cadence Bank, Ceco Building Systems, Physicians and Surgeons Clinic, Mississippi University for Women and the Education Committee of the Columbus Lowndes Development LINK.

These educators are preparing tomorrow’s workforce, something vital to the success of our area’s growth,” said Joe Max Higgins, executive director of the LINK. “We do this every year to show our appreciation for their continued dedication and hard work.”

Cindi Rigsbee, North Carolina Teacher of the Year and renowned speaker, will be the guest for the event which begins at 2 p.m. in Rent Auditorium, Whitfield Hall.

Rigsbee is a National Board Certified Teacher with more than 20 years of experience in the classroom. She has taught high school English and drama as well as middle school language arts, dance, drama and reading. Rigsbee has been named Teacher of the Year at the school-wide, district-wide and statewide levels, and in 2009 she was one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year. In September 2008, she appeared on “Good Morning America” to explain the life-changing impact her first grade teacher, Barbara Warnecke, had on her.

In addition to hearing an inspiring message from Rigsbee, the teachers will be eligible for many doors prizes donated by local businesses and agencies. Discounts also will be offered to the educators at participating merchants.

The National Education Association’s 90th annual American Education Week will take place Nov. 13-19. It spotlights the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education from kindergarten through college, and the need for everyone to do his or her part in making public schools great.

For more information, contact Macaulay Whitaker at (662) 328-8369 or email mwhitaker@cldlink.org.