A great way to make teachers feel recognized is to award them for their great work. Tupelo High School does a great way to make extraordinary teachers feel recognized by giving them the teacher of distinction award. Many teachers may go unrecognized or feel unappreciated for all the hard work they have endured throughout the years. Well THS makes sure every teacher who has done something notable in the recent year(s) gets recognition. When Jamie Ingram, a US history teacher, was asked, “What does the Teacher of Distinction award mean to you?” he answered, saying, “It was a very awesome honor to receive it. I did not expect to receive it. I know that there is a long line of great teachers who’ve won that award. And being i graduated from this high school as a student, and I’ve been working here for 10 years now, so I’ve seen so many great teachers in my time here. So to be honored among those teachers was very special for me.”

It’s great when teachers truly feel appreciated for the great things they do. Another teacher, Tierny Porter, an English lll teacher, was asked “What specific contributions or achievements Do you believe led to your nomination?” and she answered saying

“I think my determination and my drive to help my students was a determining factor, because last year was a hard year for me, but I tried to, while I was here, stay focused and make my students a priority. And so I think that somebody recognized that, and I appreciate it.”

Even though Mrs. Porter expressed that she was going through tough times, she still managed to put her students first & that is a great characteristic of a teacher of distinction. Katerina Kraus, a business education teacher, was asked, “What qualities and Characteristics describe a teacher of distinction?” and she answered, saying, “I think one that looks at their students as people and builds those relationships. I also think it’s important to put students in positions that they’re capable of. I think we a lot of times underestimate students, especially here in high school, and so being able to find their strengths and where they fit into a business, like business brew or even in a classroom, is super important, and the only way to do that is to build those relationships with your students.”s

As you can see, these teachers make a great impact on the students and shape Tupelo High School each and every day.