The top school administrator and teacher in Mississippi have been announced and both come from the same area.
Coming in as the Mississippi Administrator of the Year is Anita Wansley, principal at Northeast Elementary School in the Lauderdale County School District. Mississippi’s Teacher of the Year is Shauna Waters, an educator at West Lauderdale High School in the Lauderdale County School District.
Both winners were announced at a program today led by the Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Teaching and Leading at the Jackson Convention Complex.
The annual Mississippi Administrator of the Year program honors an administrator who demonstrates superior ability to inspire teachers, employ exemplary leadership practices, and participate as an active member of the community. The recipient receives a $5,000 stipend and shares expertise through various presentations and activities for the improvement of education in the state.
In describing her personal philosophy, Wansley stated she “believes that people are central to education and that we meet the challenges we face with creativity, collaboration, compassion, and a vision for the potential of all children to learn and grow.”
The annual Mississippi Teacher of the Year program recognizes exemplary teachers in the state who inspire students, demonstrate leadership both inside and outside the classroom, and serve as active members of the community. The award recipient also receives a $5,000 stipend and will share expertise through various presentations and activities. Waters will represent Mississippi in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
“Students should practice communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking and reach boldly for opportunities, show compassion, and grow self-confidence … developing these skills gives them many options to be active, contributing participants in their community during and after high school,” Waters said of her philosophy.
Should either the 2024 Administrator or Teacher of the Year be unable to fulfill their duties, an alternate candidate has been selected for each role. The alternate Administrator of the Year is Leigh Stanford, principal of Amory High School in the Amory School District. Meanwhile, the alternate Teacher of the Year is Tamla Hughes, a teacher at Natchez High School in the Natchez-Adams School District.
