Part of an ongoing series featuring the teachers nominated for Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce’s Teacher of the Year honors.

Sherry Garmon says teaching is her passion. It must be — she’s been an educator in Vicksburg most of her adult life.

“I decided to become a teacher because I love children and enjoy helping them develop into life-long learners and pursue their passion,” said Garmon, who has been teaching for 30 years.

That impact apparently influenced one former students to become a teacher.

“We were at a staff meeting when asked the question, ‘Who was your most memorable teacher and why?’ As she began to share her story, I realized she was talking about me,” Garmon said. “I can’t tell you the overwhelming job I felt when she said my name.

“As I stood up, my eyes began to fill with tears and my face had the biggest smile ever. As a teacher, you don’t realize the huge impact you have in the lives of your students,” Garmon said.

But there’s more to this story.

“After teaching for four years, she decided to open her own coffee shop right here in Vicksburg,” Garmon said. “Again, the inspiration to open the coffee shop came from a learning center she completed in my classroom, ‘Create-A-Restaurant.’”

Garmon taught second through sixth grade gifted students in the Vicksburg Warren School District for 26 years before becoming a math and science teacher for sixth graders at St. Francis Xavier three years ago.

She said her most rewarding part about teaching is “watching a student experience success through hard work.”

“Another joy of teaching is seeing students show unconditional compassion toward peers and others,” Garmon said.

Being honored by her peers at St. Francis Xavier is an honor.

“All of the teachers are outstanding and it is a true humbling experience,” Garmon said.

The Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce will choose one elementary and one secondary teacher of the year at the chamber luncheon Feb. 20. The winner of each award will receive $1,000 from Ameristar Casino and the runner-up for each award will receive $500 from Mutual Credit Union.

Garmon said if she were selected as the top educator, she would be overjoyed.

“I would represent all of the amazing teachers we have throughout our county to the best of my ability,” Garmon said.