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Mooreville Middle School teacher Tracy Lyle, right, hears the news she’s this year’s Lee County School District Teacher of the Year on Tuesday night at the district’s school board meeting. (Thomas Wells)
Her commitment to that goal earned Lyle recognition on Tuesday night as the Lee County School District’s Teacher of the Year.
“One of my hopes as an educator is to instill a love of learning in my students,” Lyle wrote when describing her teaching philosophy on the teacher-of-the-year application form. “I feel there is a need for compassionate, strong and dedicated individuals who are excited about working with children.
“In our competitive society it is important for students to not only receive a solid education, but to work with someone who is aware of and sensitive to their individual needs.”
Lyle was honored at the district’s school board meeting, where each individual school’s Teachers of the Year also were recognized. After being chosen by their schools, those teachers filled out an application that was evaluated by a panel of three retired teachers. Lyle will now compete for state Teacher of the Year honors.
“She cares about her kids in the classroom, and she wants to make sure she gives them everything she can to make them successful,” said Lee County Superintendent Jimmy Weeks, who was principal at Mooreville Elementary when Lyle taught there.
Lyle is in her second year at Mooreville Middle School, where she teaches seventh-grade language arts. She taught third grade at Mooreville Elementary for three years and taught in the Tupelo Public School District for 16 years.
chris.kieffer@journalinc.com
SCHOOL WINNERS
Individual Teacher of the Year winners for Lee County schools:
Mooreville High: Rhonda Pennington
Plantersville Middle: Pamela Lettieri
Saltillo High: Charles “Chuck” Hampton
Saltillo Elementary: Karen Nissen
Saltillo Primary: Joyce Rodgers
Shannon Primary: Stephanie McEwen
Mooreville Middle: Tracy Lyle
Shannon Middle: Jo Ann Duke
Verona Elementary: Cheryl Penson
Mooreville Elementary: Marlana Sheffield
Shannon High: Vicki Crumpton
Guntown Middle: Deanna Gable
Shannon Elementary: Demetress Hill