Sixteen nominees have been announced for the Chamber of Commerce’s 27th annual Educator of the Year program.

A.J. Buddy Dees, Jr. has been the chairman of the Educator of the Year program since its inception in 1990, and he said the purpose of the program is to select an outstanding elementary educator and secondary educator.

“They were nominated by the people at their schools through secret ballot,” he said. “The selection process utilizes recognition by their peers and hopefully that’s meaningful to them.”

Once schools have selected their nominees, they go on to be interviewed by a panel of retired teachers.

Dees said the idea of this program is to give teacher’s some recognition from the business community.

 

This year’s candidates are:

 

Blair McBride

• School — Bovina Elementary

• Education Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mississippi State University and master’s degree in elementary education from Delta State University

• I teach because: I want children to feel loved.

 

Tierra Collins

• School — Vicksburg Junior High School

• Education — Bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Mississippi State University, master’s degrees in social science and student affairs in higher education, both from University of West Alabama

• I teach because: educators possess knowledge to empower students to reach their goals.

 

April Smith Ross

• School — Dana Road Elementary School

• Education — Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from Alcorn State University

• I teach because: I strive to reach, inspire and make dreams come true.

 

Roxann (Rocki) Sellers

• School — Redwood Elementary School

• Education — Bachelor’s degree in special education from Arizona State University

• I teach because: I want to instill the love of learning in students.

 

Cosandra Stewart

• School — Sherman Avenue Elementary

• Education — Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and specialist in elementary education from Alcorn State University

• I teach because: through teaching, I change lives.

 

Heather Gordon

• School — South Park Elementary

• Education — Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from University of Southern Mississippi

• I teach because: my life was changed by a teacher.

 

Danielle Jones

• School — St. Aloysius High School

• Education — Bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from University of Louisiana – Lafayette

• I teach for: the “aha” moments!

 

Kiresten Walker

• School — Vicksburg Intermediate School

• Education — Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mississippi University for Women and master’s degree in elementary education from Kaplan University

• I teach because: I can make a difference in less than a year!

 

Benjamin Battle

• School — Academy of Innovation

• Education — Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northeast Louisiana University and master’s degree in instructional technology from Strayer University

• I teach because: I can make a positive difference in this world.

 

Rebecca Flanagan

• School — Bowmar Elementary School

• Education — Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from University of Mississippi

• I teach because: I enjoy the flickers that precede the light bulb.

 

Ebony Gardner

• School — Vicksburg High School

• Education — Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from University of Southern Mississippi and master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Mississippi College

• I teach because: teaching is simply what I was purposed to do.

 

Carol Rebecca Pace

• School — Porters Chapel Academy

• Education — Associate’s degree in elementary education from Jones County Junior College, bachelor’s degree in elementary education from University of Mississippi, master’s degree in elementary education from Mississippi College and specialist in educational leadership from Mississippi College

• I teach because: I was inspired, and what I do every day matters.

 

Angie Zadrozny

• School — St. Francis Xavier Elementary School

• Education — Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mississippi State University

• I teach because: I hope to contribute to a lifetime of learning.

 

Cheryl Israel Grant

• School — Porters Chapel Academy

• Education — Associate’s degree in speech and English education from Hinds Community College, bachelor’s degree in speech and English education from Mississippi State University and master’s degree in secondary education from Auburn University

• I teach because: I never want to stop learning.

 

Angela Shamell Coleman

• School — Beechwood Elementary School

• Education — Bachelor’s degree in marketing from University of Southern Mississippi and master’s degree in elementary education from Belhaven University

• I teach because: I teach because I am molding the hearts and minds of our future.

 

Lakeshia Perkins

• School — Warrenton Elementary School

• Education — Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Alcorn State University

• I teach because: I know the impact I can make.

 

Wednesday, the Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon where the winners — one from lower grades and one from upper grades — will be announced.