The last few weeks have provided reminders of just how blessed our communities are with great teachers.
Columbus Middle School’s Sylvia Collins, Mississippi School for Math and Science’s Chuck Yarborough and Starkville High’s Ginger Medders have each stepped into the all-too-rare spotlight for their above-and-beyond efforts on behalf of our children.
In May, Collins — a gifted students teacher at CMS — will take three teams to the global finals of the Destination Imagination competition in Knoxville, Tennessee, after her fine arts challenge team, technology challenge team and structure challenge team each claimed state titles. She has guided CMS teams to the global finals a remarkable 30 times since the global academic competition began 11 years ago.
In Starkville, meanwhile, Ginger Tedder was named teacher of the year for Starkville High and the congressional district, awards that acknowledge her superior work in helping prepare the district for consolidation with the Oktibbeha County schools, which goes into effect in July. Tedder has been instrumental in bringing together county and city students who belong to clubs, organizations and teams to make sure all students have access to extra-curricular activities, often vital elements to a student’s success in the classroom.
Yarborough, meanwhile, will be profiled on National Public Radio as part of its series on exceptional teachers throughout the country. The MSMS history professor is best known outside the classroom for his role in producing “Tales From the Crypt,” the annual, semester-long program that provides an opportunity to make history “come alive” for students and Pilgrimage visitors alike.
Probably the most obvious common denominator among these three teachers is that each of them have demonstrated a devotion to students that does not end after the school bell rings each afternoon.
While recent events have singled out these three for distinction, they represent only a small portion of the many teachers whose commitment to our children and their education goes far beyond the basic requirements of the job.
Regrettably, teaching is one of those professions fickle fame too often neglects, even though teachers, more often than not, have played instrumental roles in shaping the lives of the famous and accomplished. Ask a successful person to name those who have most influenced the trajectory of their lives in their formative years; a teacher is almost always high on the list.
Even so, teaching is an under-appreciated and under-compensated profession.
While there is much to concern us about the current state of our educational system, we should be comforted to know that, despite all obstacles, every school in every community is blessed with teachers who really make a positive difference in the lives of our children.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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