Warren Central Intermediate’s Woodrow Price was named Thursday as the recipient of the National University System—Sanford Teacher Award.

According to a release from the National University System, “the Sanford Teacher Award honors the top teacher in each state and the District of Columbia with $10,000 for supporting student development and achievement in inspirational and harmonious ways.”

Price learned he was Mississippi’s winner during a surprise announcement on Zoom Thursday morning.

“Mr. Price has proven himself as an effective and inspiring teacher. When he began teaching at Warren Central Intermediate school, fifth-graders performed at 32 percent proficiency in science class. After Mr. Price accepted his position, he created a new and more engaging curriculum that helped boost fifth-grade science proficiency to 50 percent,” the organization said in its release. “He introduced project-based learning, which promotes active student inquiry and adds relevance to what students learn. By introducing projects that require students to take leadership roles and demonstrate what they know and by taking students on virtual field trips, Mr. Price enables students to be engaged in relevant topics that expand their interests and bring learning beyond the walls of his classroom.”

The National University System said the award was established in the name of philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, “who is committed to supporting inspiring teaching nationwide through PreK-12 programs focused on developing the social and emotional skills of young people.”

Each state winner is eligible to be named the national winner of the Sanford Teacher Award, which comes with a total award of $50,000. The national winner will be announced at a future date.

During the announcement on Zoom, Price said the past few months of the 2019-20 school year presented plenty of unique challenges.

“We spent our time focusing on relationships, the importance of staying connected and understanding that things may not go as we think they should,” Price said of how he remained connected to his students after schools were closed due to the COVID-19 virus and a move to distance learning. “But we need to find ways to overcome them. I spent my last few months of school ensuring that all of my students’ needs were met; if they needed school supplies, I had school supplies on hand and would deliver those back to them. I also used Google Hangout to focus on the mental state of my students.

“We are all in this together, and it was a learning experience for all of us.”

The teachers were selected by a committee of educators and faculty based on an application process that included nominations and information provided by each teacher.

“Mr. Price is an excellent teacher, a team leader, and a go-getter,” Warren Central Intermediate Principal Tonya Magee said. “He deserves this award and we are truly grateful to have him as part of the Warren Central Intermediate team.”

Price was also a finalist for this past year’s Vicksburg Warren Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year award.