Teachers rewarded

Six teachers and one instructional assistant at Winona Elementary School were rewarded recently for outstanding efforts in preparing their students for the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) and STAR assessments.

According to Tabitha McCrory, Principal at Winona Elementary School, last year, the school’s administrators worked together to create an incentive program to reward teachers for their success in the classroom.  Student performance on the required assessments is a reflection of that hard work.

“Administrators worked together to show the teachers how much we appreciated their hard work, effort, and what they do for our students each day,” said McCrory. 

She said the Winona Elementary School PTO agreed to sponsor the program and provide amazing prize packages as the reward.

“[The PTO] and President April Johnson gladly supported our teachers and worked with us every step of the way,” McCrory said.

Teachers rewarded were:

  • Terrice Ross, an English/Language Arts teacher, showed the most growth on STAR for the 2021-2022 in grades pre-kindergarten through third grade.
  • Deanna Lowery and Chassie Burton, both mathematics teachers, showed the most growth on the state assessment in grades fourth through sixth.
  • Jennifer Ingram had the highest proficiency on STAR for the 2021-2022 for grades pre-kindergarten through second grade.
  • Lexie Flowers, an exceptional education teacher for kindergarten through sixth grade, showed the most student growth from the first STAR assessment in 2021-2022 to the last STAR assessment of 2021-2022.
  • Meg Vaughn, a fourth-grade mathematics teacher, had the highest proficiency on the state assessment.

Each teacher rewarded received the Food Lover’s Package from the Alluvian Hotel in Greenwood that included a one-night stay, a half dozen chocolate-covered strawberries, breakfast, a 20 percent off coupon to use at the Viking Cooking School retail store, and a $75 dinner credit at Giardina’s restaurant.  They also received a $100 Visa gift card and a $50 gas gift card.

Also honored for her hard work, Dorothy Brown, an instructional assistant for second grade English/Language Arts in Mrs. Ingram’s classroom, was rewarded $100.

McCrory said, “We are so proud of our students for making huge strides on state assessments last year.  However, we would be remiss in not honoring our team of talented teachers and instructional assistants for their commitment every day to help our students excel in the classroom and in life.”

Pictured above (from left to right) are Tabitha McCrory, Winona Elementary School Principal; Terrice Ross; Lexie Flowers; Chassie Burton; Deanna Lowery; Jennifer Ingram; April Johnson, Winona PTO president; Dr. Teresa Jackson, Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School District Superintendent of Education; and Tracy Moore, Winona Elementary School Assistant Principal.

Pictured above is Meg Vaughn.

Pictured above is Dorothy Brown.