Few could have predicted that the girl sitting in a New Hope High School chemistry class two decades ago would grow up to teach chemistry at her alma mater. She didn’t even like chemistry. But she was planning to go to medical school, so she struggled through it.
As Elizabeth Malone sat in her classroom Thursday morning and related this story, she couldn’t stop smiling. Tuesday, she was named the Lowndes County School District’s Teacher of the Year, and within five minutes, it’s easy to see why. She loves chemistry with every fiber of her being, and she brings that excitement into the classroom, making the difficult subject not only fun but relevant to her students’ lives.
She said her students often ask why she’s always in such a good mood.
“Because it’s chemistry day!” she exclaims.
But there’s something else that contributes to her sunny outlook — the students themselves.
“I try to give my students 100 percent of myself,” she said. “I want them to succeed. … Kids need to know you care about them. Not to the point that they run all over you, but I love my students. I genuinely do.”
That could be said of so many teachers within the district, she said. This knowledge humbles her and makes her appreciate the districtwide Teacher of the Year designation even more.
Malone graduated from New Hope High School in 1993 and received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry education from Mississippi University for Women in 1997. A good chemistry professor — Carl Doumit, who is now retired — made all the difference, she said. And her mind started turning from medical school to teaching.
As a child, she had lined up her dolls and played school. As an adult, she loved children and loved the idea of sharing her passion for chemistry with them.
For the past 13 years, she has done exactly that, teaching both regular and Advanced Placement chemistry at New Hope. In May, she will begin online courses at Arkansas State University, pursuing her master’s degree in educational leadership.
According to the National Education Association, half of all new teachers quit within the first five years, but Malone said she was fortunate to have support from school administration and faculty. Now, she mentors other young teachers.
“If you make it through the first year, it gets better,” she said. “You learn more your first year than you ever learn in college. It’s a lot more work than people realize.”
She’s seen a lot of changes since she entered the profession, particularly in technology, and she said she tries to use new tools to communicate with her tech-loving students and their parents.
For the students, she set up a website where they can find chemistry lessons and practice exercises. For the parents, she sends an email once a week apprising them of what’s happening in class, from upcoming tests to online grades.
It’s worth it, she said, when students return to thank her and tell her she made a difference in their lives.
Multiple factors went into Malone’s selection, said Dr. Robin Ballard, the district’s elementary coordinator. Four aspects were examined — community involvement, teaching philosophy, viewpoints on the major issues in public education and ideas on how to strengthen and improve the teaching profession.
Out of seven nominees, Malone emerged as the top pick among the four-person selection committee, Ballard said.
Malone’s name, along with the names of the state’s other district Teachers of the Year, will be submitted for consideration for the state title. Winners from each state will then compete for the national title.
Malone is married to Rob Malone, and they have two children: Darby, 11, and Sam, 6.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
