The Columbus Municipal School District and the Lowndes County School District honored some of their own on Friday.
Billie Smith won administrator of the year for the city school district. Smith is currently the principal at Fairview Elementary, a role that she has held since 2008.
A graduate of Mississippi State University, Smith holds a master’s degree in elementary education. A former track and basketball coach, Smith has been with the district for 13 years.
Susie Oglesby was named teacher of the year for the LCSD. Oglesby has been teaching at New Hope High School for three years. She is board certified and also has her master’s degree in science. Oglesby’s said her teaching style is to “change just one.”
“Changing attitudes of each student, one at a time, can alter many lives,” she said.
Being a role model for her students is a responsibility that Oglesby doesn’t take lightly. “Being an outstanding teacher, one must care about their students,” she said. “The biggest challenge of education isn’t just teaching anyone but teaching someone, a child. I feel strongly about respecting each student, teaching character traits and being a role model.”
The following were selected as Teacher of the Year for their individual school: Nancy Sewell, Caledonia Elementary; Beth Green, Caledonia Middle School; Beth Holloman, Caledonia High School; Ashley Thompson, New Hope Elementary; Eric Guerrero, New Hope Middle School; Katie McDill, West Lowndes Elementary; Tiffany Phinisey, West Lowndes Middle School; and Rosa Davis, West Lowndes High School.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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