Awards
Mississippi Rural Teacher of the Year
The Mississippi Rural Teacher of the Year award aims to recognize and honor outstanding teachers who have made significant contributions to rural education in Mississippi. Districts nominate educators who demonstrate exceptional teaching practices that contribute to student success, innovative and creative approaches to engage students in the learning process, leadership within the school and community, fostering positive relationships, and dedication to addressing the unique challenges and opportunities in rural education.
The selected Mississippi Rural Teacher of the Year serves as an ambassador for rural education, representing the excellence and commitment of educators in our state. Additionally, the overall winner represents Mississippi in the National Rural Education Association contest.
The Mississippi Rural Teacher of the Year award is sponsored by Kids 1st Education, which provides up to $4,000 in scholarship funding for a high school senior who is planning on becoming an educator and is selected by the overall MS Rural Teacher of the Year.
2024 Recipient
Todd Willis
Tate County School District, Congressional District #1
Pictured: Dr. Chuck Beningo, Executive Director of PREPS, Dr. Pattie Permenter, MSREA Co-Coordinator; Todd Willis, MS Rural Teacher of the Year; Amanda Tullos, MSREA Co-Coordinator; Katy Boyd, Kids 1st Representative
Todd Willis has dedicated his career to education, focusing on innovative and hands-on learning experiences. His teaching career spans various roles, including his current position as CES third-grade Math, Science, and Garden Educator at Tate County School District. Before that, he served as a Garden Educator at The Delta School and as a Third-grade Gifted Teacher/Farm Manager at DeSoto County Schools. His teaching journey began in 2011 as a Substitute Teacher with Kelly Services in DeSoto County Schools.
Todd has been a leader in staff development and training future teachers. He is involved in various workshops, conferences, and programs, such as the Delta Kappa Gamma, Good Things in MS Supertalk Radio, and the Mississippi State University IMPACT2 Math Conference. His commitment to education has been recognized through awards like the Arkansas Department of Agriculture School Garden of the Year in 2021 and the Fulbright Scholar in 2019 for the U.S. Teacher Exchange Program in India.
Other Nominees
Tammie Hodnett Marlow
Congressional District #2 Nominee
Cleveland School District
Cleveland School District
Whitney Alexander
Congressional District #3 Nominee
Newton County School District
Newton County School District
Connie Skrmetta
Congressional District #4 Nominee
Pass Christian Public School District
Pass Christian Public School District