Allan Bellman | Math

Perry Brittian | Math

Ms. Chaney | 5^th Grade Reading

S. Frances Miriam | 8^th Grade

Freddie Ushrea | Kindergarten

Mrs. Kerry | 6^th Grade Science

Patsy Smith | History

No one wants to be different in high school, but it's hard to hide a wheelchair and shaking hands and a quivering voice. In ninth grade, I found myself in Mrs. Patsy Smith's Mississippi History class, and I discovered that her love for teaching was not diminished in any way by my outward differences. She never took away my right to do everything the other students did. Her pride in my learning increased my motivation to excel in her class and to pursue my education with the same enthusiasm she had for teaching. As I grew into adulthood, Mrs. Smith became "Patsy," and she followed my accomplishments every step of the way. Even if I forgot that I was "okay," she never forgot and never stopped reminding me. Patsy went on to work in a community college in Blytheville, Arkansas, and there she put up a "Maxine" wall, where she placed newspaper clippings of every one of my triumphs. Whenever a student said "I can't," she showed them this wall and said, "Yes, you can." Being a good teacher certainly requires mastery of the content being taught, but it also requires mastery of the concept that students often need a cheerleader. Mrs. Smith had mastered both skills, and to me that meant that she had mastered the art of teaching. To her I wish to say, "thank you" for being a model of what a teacher should be and for caring about a high school student who needed someone to care about her.

- Maxine Harper

Mary Elizabeth Morton

There was one person in particular who inspired me to want to become a teacher. Her name is Mary Elizabeth Morton (I now call her "Mem"). I can't say that she taught me in a particular grade or subject area because when she was my teacher, I was in a non-graded school with students who had severe disabilities. I had just returned from a four-year stay at a residential facility for children with cerebral palsy. There I had been stripped of every ounce of self-esteem. But then at age nine, I entered the school where Mem taught, and I finally learned that my disability did not define who I was. Mem taught me that I was the product of my strengths and not my weaknesses. Although she had to buy special textbooks, she was determined to teach me at my age level. Because she believed in me, I learned to believe in myself. Also, because she believed in me, she taught others to believe in me as well. It was through her efforts and the efforts of a kind and forward-thinking principal that I entered public school at age 12 and went on to become valedictorian and later to earn a doctorate degree. Now, as I teach future teachers, I set her as an example of what every teacher should be – someone who helps his/her students reach their full potential. I can never repay Mem for what she gave me (the eyes to see what I could become and the will to reach for my dreams), but I can at least say "thank you" from the bottom of my heart.

- Maxine Harper

Elisabeth Milhous | University of Mississippi

For getting the freshman parents through the first year! Amazing support, upbeat, and professional. Elizabeth went over and above her call of duty.

- Wendy Pennington

Ann Berryhill | English | Pontotoc High School

Mrs. Berry, who never had children, made all of us feel as though we were hers. She was the first teacher to tell me that I COULD and WOULD write. As a junior, I wrote a short story, and she helped me take it through the writing process. The next school year she shared my story as a good example to the junior class. She loved my story and me. I wanted to become a teacher just like her! Thank you, Mrs. Berryhill!

Thanks,
Jackie Parker

Leroy Levy | Hinds Community College

Dr. Levy is an exemplary administrator, mentor, and teacher. He leads by example and nurtures his employees and students. He believes in love, but tough love to prepare students to survive and thrive in this competitive world. He is a credit to UM, HCC, and our community.

Thanks,
Dean C. Lamb

Kathleen Gombos Gamis | Mercy Cross High School

Kathleen was an amazing teacher. She took the time to know each of her students personally and always listened and gave good advice. She had high expectations in the classroom and gave real world examples which made her classes all the more enjoyable. I loved having Kathleen as a teacher. I just want her to know that she was and still is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Macey Edmondson

Kelley Frazier-Nihill | History | Greenbrier High School

She isn't your everyday ordinary history teacher who puts up a boring slide show and has you follow along with your study guide. I know this because she is my mom and I'm there every Saturday and Sunday morning in our parlor room listening to her read from the hundreds of ancient history books that she has on her bookshelf, while we drink tea and daydream of all of the places we would like to visit. Her students beg to have her as a teacher because she is so passionate about her subject and knows so much more interesting facts about history than most. Students can also be found in her office a lot of times asking for advice or help with a project because she knows how to talk to students and make them feel comfortable. My mom is an incredible woman who takes on so much because she loves her job and the students she gets to watch grow. I believe she deserves to be recognized for all of the things that she does and I'm positive many other people would say the same thing.

Thanks,
Chelsea Nihill

Vicky Warren | English | Starkville Academy

I will never forget the day Mrs. Warren, my 10th and 12th grade English teacher, kept me after class and presented me with an essay covered with red marks. You can imagine my surprise when, despite the multiple grammatical errors, she finished the critique with "…and anyone who can write the way you do, should be in my AP English class."

It was a small gesture. But, it was the first time a teacher saw me for my strengths. She made me believe I could be more than average. She made me want to try. Despite my grades, she helped me land a spot in 11th grade AP English. I returned to her classroom my senior year. By graduation, I'd gone from a C student to earning straight As.

After high school, I attended The University of Mississippi where I earned degrees in English and journalism. I now write for a living.

I'm thankful every day that she went the extra mile.

Thanks,
Andrew Mark Abernathy

George S. Hazard | 10^th Grade Writing

Dr. Karen Joines | Samford University | Herbrew, Archaeology, Old Testament

Lucy Saconn | Latin

Ms. Saconn was my Latin teacher in high school. She was always excited about the subject and prepared us in ways I didn't realize until I went to college and completed additional coursework in Latin for my degree requirement. Ms. Saconn particularly impressed me in how she never shamed students in class. If a student didn't know the answer, she worked with them to get to the correct answer or she stated the answer matter-of-factly. Other students were not called on to provide the correction. As I work with education majors entering the field, I hope that they will join the profession with the same excitement, care and hard work that Ms. Saconn has shown.

Thanks,
Whitney Webb

B.C. Crawford | English | Harding Academy

Thank you for this opportunity to publically thank Mr. B.C. Crawford, who taught me 11th and 12th grade English at Harding Academy in Memphis in 1972-73. He was tough. He was quirky. And, he was passionate about literature—particularly Faulkner. I still don't love Faulkner as he does, but he helped me develop critical skills in vocabulary, grammar, reading and research that I use every day. That strong groundwork resulted in a surprising ACT score, a little scholarship money, and confidence that I could be successful. I also realized that I could pursue a passion, even if I could not explain to my father how it would directly yield a husband, a career, or a good paycheck. Finally, Mr. Crawford taught me that a little irrelevance for the rules can be healthy.

Shame on me for not writing Mr. Crawford before now.

Thanks,
Ms. Gray Shirley

Belinda Anderson | Freed-Hardeman University

Dr. Belinda Anderson was the first great life teacher I ever had. I was her student worker when she was the dean of student life at Freed-Hardeman University, and I later served as her intern and became her full-time employee in the Office of Admissions.

Dr. Anderson leads and teaches by example. She never asks you to do anything she isn't willing to do herself. She takes care of her people. She works harder than anyone I know. She taught me that being able to forgive and move forward are essential tools for success. I also learned that the best way to earn the respect and trust of the people who work for you is to do right by them, admit when you make a mistake, and work hard to make it right. Some people are all talk, but Dr. Anderson is all action. She is always looking for ways to serve others and will continue to teach for as long as she is living.

Dr. A, I know we joke about seeing the people, but thank you for really teaching me how to SEE the people around me. There are no words to adequately express the impact you've made on my life and the lives of so many. Thanks for everything.

Love,
Molly Risley

Rosalie Andrews | 9^th grade English | Cookeville High School

I first met Mrs. Andrews in 9th grade honors English and quickly decided that in high school, "honors" must be code for hardest class you've ever taken in your life. She pushed me to become a better writer, to think beyond the words on a page, and to imagine all sorts of life beyond Cookeville, TN.

In the tenth grade, she taught me about great artists, old cities, and what the world was like when great thinkers and classical teachers were just beginning to set their footprints in our history. She always told us good luck before every test--in about five languages. Most importantly, she taught me that temporary learning is a waste of time. This year will be my first year as a high school English teacher and I hope that I can be even half as wonderful as Mrs. Andrews. Thank you, Mrs. Andrews, for helping me see the Titian in every stop sign and red light. I love you dearly.

Love,
Molly Risley

Suzie Adcock | Librarian | Jackson Academy

Suzie Adcock has, for more than 30 years, had a profound impact on the lives of students at Jackson Academy and in Jackson's public school system before that. First, she taught elementary and is now the librarian at JA. You can't go anywhere with Suzie and not have students coming up to her for a hug and to see her caring smile again. All of them thank her for all she has meant to them. Not many professions lend themselves to having such an impact on young people's lives...wow, what a legacy. Thank you, Aunt Suzie!

Thanks,
Jon and Pam Turner

Gene Peery | Accountancy Professor | University of Mississippi

Well, Mr. Gene Peery has been gone now for more than 20 years, but not many days go by where I don't hear this legendary man's voice in my head, whether its commentary about world events or Ole Miss or life in general.

He taught accountancy at UM for more than 40 years influencing the lives of thousands of students (evidenced by the UM Peery Chair of Accountancy) and I was fortunate enough to have him for six semesters and, as KA treasurer, met with him monthly for nearly two years as he did our books. He was absolutely the primary reason that I chose accountancy as a major and 34 years later I am still a practicing CPA. From the bottom of my heart, thank you and God bless you, Mr. Peery!

Thanks,
Jon Turner

Mary-Crosby Turner | 3^rd grade | Kingston Springs Elementary School

Well, she wasn't my teacher, but let's just say Pam and I are extremely proud parents of our young teacher daughter who graduated from Ole Miss in 2010 then Vanderbilt University in 2011. She just completed her first year of teaching 3rd grade at Kingston Springs Elementary School in the Nashville, TN area. We have a new appreciation for all that teachers go through, especially during their first year in the trenches. Unbeknownst to Mary-Crosby, I'm attaching this note from one of her students that exemplifies the amazing influence teachers have on young lives every day.

Thanks,
Jon and Pam Turner

Jerome Smith | Principal | Callaway High School

Mr. Smith took over as principal of a new high school when Callaway opened in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1966. He led the school in an extra ordinary manner for many years. He took great interest in all of his students and encouraged them to perform at the highest possible level. My brother and I both graduated from Callaway and were fortunate to have received an excellent education under his leadership. He took a personal interest in us and our family. I appreciate Mr. Smith and the positive impact he has had on my life.

Thanks,
Gene Henson

Carole Lynn Meadows | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Carole Lynn Meadows has the heart of a teacher always finding the good in people. She continues to learn each day and gracefully shares her teaching and leadership skills with a diverse group. Her zest for life inspires all who know her and she has positively impacted countless people.

Thank you, my Heroine!
Dr. Pamela Smith

Janet S. Fanning | Math | Holy Innocents Episcopal School

Janet is the math department chair at Holy Innocents Episcopal School in Atlanta. Both students and parents express how much her expertise means to them. Mothers explain, "You got my daughters through math!" Grads share how well she prepared them for college math. Students talk about how much they love her class. Janet chose to take accelerated classes through high school and graduated in three years. She also participated in extra curricular activities. She proved herself at Ole Miss taking difficult courses and graduating in three years!

Pamela and Jerome Smith

James Davis | Accountancy Professor | University of Mississippi

Dr. Davis is a professor at the Patterson School of Accountancy and Sigma Nu legend at the University of Mississippi. For years, Dr. Davis has taught at the accounting school and has challenged students to do their best. He taught two generations of the Henson family, and for all of the years of support, dedication, and encouragement, we are all grateful.

Gene Henson, Stephanie Henson, & Staci Henson Tyler

J Shaw | Accountancy Professor | University of Mississippi

Dr. Shaw has been a professor at the Patterson School of Accountancy for many years. In addition to teaching, he has been very involved with students in the accountancy Beta Alpha Psi program. While tax accounting was never either of our favorite subjects, Dr. Shaw was a fantastic teacher who took a vested interest in each of his students. Stephanie was even Dr. Shaw s Teacher's Assistant in graduate school. Dr. Shaw was always very interested in his students' career paths and would do anything to help them succeed. We are both very thankful for his interest and encouragement.

Staci Henson Tyler & Stephanie Henson

Anne Keenan | Mathematics | Jackson Academy

Mrs. Keenan taught math at Jackson Academy and was also the Jr. High Student Council Sponsor. She was so caring, so thoughtful and so generous with her time. All of her students were welcome to come to her room before or after school for extra help with homework. She truly took a genuine interest in each student. Mrs. Keenan not only interacted with her students in the classroom, but also at extracurricular activities. She was a wonderful Student Council sponsor. You would also find her at school sporting events cheering her students on and getting to know the JA families. She will always be remembered as one of our favorite teachers, and for that, she should be honored!

Thanks,
Staci Henson Tyler - Jackson Academy Class of 1999
Stephanie Henson - Jackson Academy Class of 2004