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

Education has defined Casandra Stewart’s life and as a first grade teacher at Sherman Avenue Elementary, she is working to impact her students’ lives in the same way her teachers impacted hers.

Entering first grade with no previous education, Stewart was immediately told she couldn’t do it. That she wasn’t smart enough to learn. She entered second grade still not able to read, and it was there where she finally found a teacher who believed in her.

“I was a struggling learner and had no Head Start, no kindergarten, walked right off the street into a first grade classroom. Because I was that type of child, I was placed in the slow group. I wasn’t given a chance,” Stewart said. “I got to second grade and this teacher by the name of Barbara Moore, she had taught my sisters, my mom, my aunts, she knew my last name. She said you come from a family of smart people.”

Moore spent time working with Stewart and taught her to read. It left a lasting imprint on Stewart and set her on a course that led her into education.

“I think she tweaked the interest of me becoming a teacher and wanting to help other people like she had done for me,” Stewart said.

She would eventually receive a scholarship to Alcorn State University. She has now earned a bachelors, masters and specialist and is working on a second specialist degree.

“It is who I am,” Stewart said of education. “I have two older sisters who do not have a college degree. My mom went back at the age of 54 to get a degree in education. Since I started, I am now working on my fourth degree. Once I start, I cannot stop.”

She originally started as a nursing student, but quickly realized that working in a hospital was not for her.

“My grandma got sick, had three massive strokes, and I couldn’t deal with it. I knew then that I was not going to be able to be a nurse. Even going to the hospital to see her I would become ill,” Stewart said. “I decided I still wanted to help people, just in a different aspect.”

Stewart is in her fifth year teaching at Sherman Avenue and is her school’s nominee for the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce’s Elementary Teacher of the Year.

“It was quite shocking. This is the second time I have been nominated in five years at Sherman Avenue,” Stewart said.

Stewart said her goal is to teach the whole child. She is working on teaching them how to read, but also wants to make sure they are good citizens, are well fed and know that they are loved.

“Let them know I love them,” Stewart said. “Let them know my classroom is safe. Let them know that I am going to do all I can to educate you. I am also going to do all I can to make you a productive citizen.”

The Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce will choose one elementary and one secondary teacher of the year at the chamber luncheon Feb. 21. 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.

“That’s huge,” Stewart said of her reaction if she won the award. “That is an accomplishment.”