Members of Picayune’s Separate Municipal School District board of trustees got to meet this year’s group of outstanding teachers.
Each year principals throughout the district present their teachers of the year to the school board.
At Nicholson Elementary Olive Zenon was chosen at the teacher of the year. Principal Patrick Rutherford said Zenon is an exceptional teacher who describes herself as a “change agent”, especially after all of the recent changes that have been set forth in the district. He said he is privileged to have her on his team.
Picayune Jr. High Principal James Williams said his teacher of the year, Jill Smith, is the school’s department chair for computer science, a sponsor for the student council and is also on the yearbook council.
Roseland Park Elementary Principal Vicki Vaughn presented Lisa Glasscock as her teacher of the year. Glasscock was described as a teacher who genuinely cares about her students.
“Students in her room truly are loved, cared for and taught,” Vaughn said.
South Side Upper Elementary Principal Debbie Smith introduced Susan Spiers as her teacher of the year. Smith said Spiers has more than 30 years of experience in teaching. Spiers works with the science and reading fairs and also is the sponsor and coach of the South Side Scholars, a team of students who compete academically against other students at St. Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis.
“Spiers is truly one of those lifelong learners,” Smith said.
Smith also took a moment to read a letter from one of Spiers’ students, who claims that her current enrollment in an Ivy League college is due to Spiers’ influence in grade school.
South Side Lower Elementary’s teacher of the year is Sandra Daigle, said Assistant Superintendent Brent Harrell. Daigle and the principal were not present for Tuesday’s meeting.
West Side Elementary Principal Mary Williams introduced Dianne DuPont as her teacher of the year. Williams described DuPont as motivated and dedicated teacher who has been at her school for more than 30 years.
Center for Alternative Education Director Daphne Beebe introduced Lori Pippen as her teacher of the year. Beebe said Pippen is the school’s testing coordinator and displays a love for the children as through they are her own.
Harrell said Picayune Memorial High School’s teacher of the year is Tommy Tucei. Tucei and the principal were absent from the meeting.
This year’s district teacher of the year is Tucei, Harrell said.
Each school’s teacher of the year will receive an extra $100 to be used to purchase school supplies. The district teacher of the year will receive $500 for the same purpose.
See Thursday’s edition of the Item for continued coverage of Tuesday’s meeting.