Guiding students through years of education takes a community of people dedicated to seeing future generations succeed.

Those teachers and administrators who have gone above and beyond are receiving a little extra attention this time of year.

Beechwood Elementary School principal Tamikia Billings has been named by the Vicksburg Warren School District as administrator of the year.

Superintendent Chad Shealy surprised Billings with the announcement at the school last week.

“He came on the intercom and told the faculty and staff. I was very surprised,” Billings said. “It was amazing. It’s certainly a blessing to work at VWSD and have such great support. Mr. Shealy is awesome. I have great teachers and a great team. I didn’t do this by myself. These teachers and kids are awesome. They make me greater every day.”

Billings said education is a group effort, and the faculty and staff of Beechwood is a family that helps each other daily and gives their all to the students so they can continue to grow and learn. Having a positive impact on students’ lives is important to her and one of her favorite things about working with children on a daily basis.

“Building relationships is key. I think that’s what makes Beechwood so successful. We work hard, and we grow kids from where they are to where they need to be,” Billings said. “(We are) continuing to provide an outlet of success for our kids and to continue to grow leaders that are going to positively impact society. Making school better each and every day for our kids. It’s all about the kids. It’s all about making them successful.”

District employees voted the top three administrators in the district. Those three, Jason Bennett at Bowmar Elementary and Sherrie Bourgeois at Dana Road Elementary, were interviewed by educators and community leaders who chose the winner.

Billings’ education career started 14 years ago. Half of those years were spent teaching and half have been in administration. Her eight years of teaching were spent in Canton and Pearl public school districts teaching biology I, AP biology and environmental science as well as coordinating science fairs.

“I have a very strong background in education. My endorsements, I have a variety, science, social studies, health, PE, general science,” Billings said. “I’ve taught elementary, junior high and high school.”

She was the named teacher of the year in 2007-2008 for the Canton School District.

She spent almost three years as assistant principal at Warren Central High School before moving to Beechwood. Billings has been the principal at Beechwood Elementary School for five years.

Billings attended Quitman High School. She then went to Jones Junior College, completed her bachelor’s degree at Alcorn State University, earned her master’s degree at Belhaven University and received her education specialist degree from Mississippi College where she will also complete her doctorate in May.