Oak Grove Elementary School fifth grade teacher Amanda Duplessy was surprised with a prestigious national award Wednesday morning, recognizing her as one of the top educators in the U.S.
Duplessy was bestowed the Milken Educator Award for Mississippi, hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching,” along with a check for $25,000. She was given the award based on demonstrating a powerful impact on her students achieved by a personal approach that both challenges and enriches her pupils.
“Amanda Duplessy’s creative instruction and outstanding mentorship are making a marked difference in the lives of her students, colleagues, and the greater community,” Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop said. “Amanda’s classroom is a hub of critical thinking and hands-on learning where every activity is tailored to inspire growth.”
The Southern Miss graduate was celebrated for her “exemplary career” at the ceremony. Speakers, which included State Superintendent of Education Dr. Lance Evans, celebrated her instruction that is tailored to meet individual students’ needs. Duplessy was also recognized for her mentorship to fellow teachers and unrivaled work ethic.
Duplessy has incorporated a number of unique activities and organizations to impact students, including her “Unsolved Mysteries” unit where students dress as detectives and study “top-secret case files” focused on reading nonfiction and performing research, and a “Writing Boot Camp,” where students complete challenges that boost proficiency.
The impact and mentorship by Duplessy extend beyond the classroom. She is the co-founder of Oak Grove’s first-ever student council, served as a fifth grade ELA professional learning community leader, leads a professional development book study, and supervises student teachers from Southern Miss assigned to Oak Grove for clinical practice, among other leadership roles.
“Great teachers transform students’ lives by creating pathways to success that extend far beyond the classroom walls,” Dr. Evans said. “As a Milken Educator, Amanda Duplessy demonstrates the powerful impact that dedicated educators have on student achievement and our entire education system.”
In addition to the cash award, Milken Educator Award honorees are given mentorship opportunities for expanded leadership roles that strengthen education practice and policy via the Milken Friends Forever program. Duplessy will also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles this spring.
Since 1987, the Milken Educator Awards have awarded more than $75 million in individual cash prizes and more than $145 million has been invested in the foundation’s national network. The Foundation aims to “Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate” the K-12 profession and encourage young people to consider a career in education.
