Hundreds of teachers left the Mississippi University for Women campus rejuvenated Wednesday afternoon, after the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link”s Educators are Essential program.
“I enjoyed it,” said Sandra Horton, a 38-year veteran teacher, who teaches language arts at Hunt Intermediate School. “It was fantastic; it was very motivating.”
“It was just a good re-energizer,” said Tiffany Cooper, a first-year teacher of math, science and social studies at Hunt. “As a teacher your goal is to make a difference in each and every child”s life.”
“It was like a shot in the arm. It was very motivating,” added Jean Ann Evans, a kindergarten teacher at Fairview Elementary Aerospace and Science Magnet School.
Mississippi Economic Council President Blake Wilson, the event”s keynote speaker, told area teachers they are “the bedrock of this state.”
“You are where the rubber meets the road,” Wilson said.
Lowndes County has an advantage since its education community has a cooperative spirit, willingness to work together and support from the business community, he said.
Teachers, he said, wake up in the middle of the night and early in the morning, dedicating extra time and energy to their craft.
“I know what you guys do. My wife is a teacher,” he said. “I know that this is a consuming job, and it”s not easy.”
Wilson encouraged the teachers, who represented 90 percent of the teaching staff of Columbus and Lowndes County schools, including private schools, to stay the course, considering “the difference you are making.”
“For some students, you are the only positive influence they have,” said Allegra Brigham, interim president of MUW, president of the Link board and a former school teacher.
“I really thought it was encouraging to hear someone remind us of how important (teaching) is,” said Martha Jones, who teachers computer literacy at Hunt. She has been teaching for 17 years.
“It made me feel special for a change,” said Cicely Zuber, a sixth-grade reading and English teacher at West Lowndes Middle School. ”It let me know the things I”m doing really count.” Zuber is in her 12th year of teaching.
Carla Henry, who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade English at West Lowndes Middle, took time to say a “thank you” to those organizing the event. Henry has been teaching for seven years.
“It”s nice to get a little bit of recognition,” said Kathy Robbins, who teaches Algebra 1 at New Hope High School. The 11-year teaching vet compared it to “a shot of energy.”
“I can only say that every teacher who does this, it”s a labor of love,” said Kevin Stewart, an Algebra 1 teacher at Caledonia High School. “It”s nice to be recognized for what you do, even though you do it out of love.” Steward has been teaching for nine years.
As educators made their way to school buses and cars, they were glad for the words and gifts of appreciation. Along with giving teachers T-shirts and bracelets, organizers drew tickets for gift certificates and elaborate gift baskets. The W also gave away a free three-hour master-level course.
But more than gifts and trinkets, teachers took away the reminder that they make a difference. And even in a time when the focus seems to be teaching to a test, they can change lives for the better.
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