LCSD teacher, principal chosen for state honors

GLENDA SANDERS |, The Meridian Star, Miss.
·2 min read

Apr. 26—The Lauderdale County School District is now home to the 2024 state Administrator of the Year and Teacher of the Year honorees, the Mississippi Department of Education announced Friday.

Anita Wansley, principal at Northeast Lauderdale Elementary School, and Shauna Waters, an English teacher at West Lauderdale High School, were recognized during a program Friday led by MDE's Office of Teaching and Leading at the Jackson Convention Complex. A mother of three from the Pascagoula-Gautier School District, Jessica McNeel, was named the state's Parent of the Year.

Wansley and Waters were previously chosen as the Lauderdale County School District's Administrator of the Year and Teacher of the Year honorees.

The Mississippi Administrator of the Year program honors an administrator who demonstrates superior ability to inspire teachers, employs exemplary leadership practices and participates as an active member of the community, according to a MDE press release. Wansley received a $5,000 stipend and will share her expertise through various presentations and activities for the improvement of education in the state.

Wansley was one of four finalists, one from each congressional district, for the Administrator of the Year award, representing Congressional District 3. She is in her fourth year as principal at Northeast Elementary and has led the school to back-to-back A ratings.

Waters, a 20-year veteran of the teaching profession, teaches Advanced Placement English for seniors, Honors English for sophomores and English 4 at West Lauderdale High School. She also serves as the school's academic team coach, Tech Champ, National Honor Society adviser and school newspaper adviser.

The Department of Education's Teacher of the Year program annually recognizes exemplary teachers in the state. As this year's recipient, Waters received a $5,000 stipend and will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition. She also will be asked to share expertise through presentations, professional development and other activities.

Chosen as alternate Teacher of the Year, in case Waters is unable to fulfull her duties, was Tamla Hughes of Natchez High School. Leigh Stanford, principal of Amory High School, was named alternate Administrator of the Year.

Contact Glenda Sanders at gsanders@themeridianstar.com.