Jessica Johnson is a Science teacher at Huey L. Porter Middle School in Canton, MS. She has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Chemistry Minor from Millsaps College, a Masters in Education from Mississippi College and is currently working on her Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership also at Mississippi College. Along with her educational accomplishments, she has enjoyed 11 years of introducing kids to the world of science and helping kids exceed their individual learning capabilities.

Prior to becoming a teacher, Mrs. Johnson intended to achieve her childhood dream of becoming a doctor and was accepted into the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. While making the decision to attend, she felt as though life was pulling her into another direction and decided to explore the avenue of teaching. During college, she had been encouraged to major in education as it was clear that she had a remarkable ability to effectively explain and teach very difficult material to others. Intrigued by the calling of a different career and helping to mold young lives, Mrs. Johnson accepted her first position as a teacher at New Hope Christian School.   At New Hope, she was able to experience the rewards and struggles of a teaching career and solidified her commitment to educating the youth of Mississippi. In 2008, she accepted a position with Canton Public School District and has sought to break through any barriers to educational excellence with dedication, passion and flexible teaching methods.

Professionally, she has seen her hard work, consistency, high expectations and commitment to treating all kids fairly result in numerous awards and staggering achievements throughout her teaching career. At NHCS, Mrs. Johnson was the Math Olympics Coach for grades 3-6. Out of the 52 students Mrs. Johnson taught, over 25 students were selected as Duke Scholars due to their high test scores in Math and Science. In her five years as a Science Fair Coordinator for the Canton Public School District, 20+ of her students have received the honor of placing as 1st -5th place winners, three students who received 1st and 2nd place wins in the Overall State Winner Category and others received special awards from the US Navy and Jackson State University. Additionally, science fair students have been selected as Broadcom nominees and competed with the top 10% of winners in the United States for a grand prize of $25,000.

Along with the accomplishments of her students, Mrs. Johnson has achieved professional recognition by her peers and has been awarded Teacher of the Month and Lead 8th Grade Teacher. She has served as the Science Club Sponsor from 2010 and the Science Department Chair since 2012. Since 2010, she has been selected as a Middle School Science Representative, Board Member and Conference Presenter of the Mississippi Science Teacher Association. Recently, she is the High School Science Representative for the state Nissan has also recognized Mrs. Johnson's efforts as a teacher by selecting her as the Nissan Grant Recipient of the Spark Into 21st Century Grant.

In the summer of 2013, Mrs. Johnson wrote a Science Club Manual for the Increasing Minorities in Atmospheric Science-RAP (IMAS-RAP) program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) at Jackson State University for the Jackson Public School District. After submission of the manual to the NSF, Canton Public Schools were added into the grant after Mrs. Johnson's direction of the project contributed to her being recognized by the professors at Jackson State University. The manual was piloted in 2014 in Jackson and Canton Public School Districts and was be e-published the summer of 2014. Additionally, CPS was rewarded by the NSF and received innovative equipment through the grant to be used by the Science Club.

Committed to her responsibility as a teacher and her father's wisdom that "you can never know how far you'll go unless you try," Mrs. Johnson regularly seeks to improve her skills and find new ways to impact the educational achievements of her students. Throughout her teaching career, she has participated in the Project Mast-5 summit held at Jackson State University which equips science teachers across the state with research-based knowledge of physical science and the Champs-University of Women workshop which focuses on creating high achievement in mathematics and problem-solving. She has participated in Project TANS (Teacher Academy in the Natural Sciences) from Mississippi State University since 2010-2012 and the Science Fair Coordinators Workshop at Jackson State University since 2009. In 2014, joined the Upward Bound staff of Jackson State and teaches Physics and Chemistry to 11-12 grade youth in the surrounding area where she grew up.

Mrs. Johnson is committed to the youth and has been inspired to maintain a passionate and innovative attitude towards shaping the lives of children intellectually and spiritually. Besides teaching, Mrs. Johnson shows her commitment to the youth by acting as the Director for the Children/Youth Choir and the Coordinator for the Nursery, Drama and Education Ministry programs at Canton United Methodist Church. Mrs. Johnson credits God, her husband, Deontray Johnson, Sr., and two children, Jordin, and Deontray, Jr., with providing her love, balance and strength to come up with innovative ways to teach science and positively affect the lives of children in the State of Mississippi.

Many teachers look forward to seeing that "a-ha!" look of triumph in a student's face when he or she finally arrives at an answer to a challenging problem, but Goodloe Elementary School first grade teacher Lakisha Watkins enjoys the process kids go through to learn something. "I like seeing them wrestle with a hard concept, and have the confidence to keep trying, even when they are not sure if they will succeed."

Mrs. Watkins believes that hands on, research-based approach to learning is best for teaching younger students. Her classroom style has been described as "controlled" and "fun-filled excitement" with students pairing up to work on teacher and self-directed projects. Her students (past and present) often give her the compliment of saying that they miss her class and they wish she was still their teacher because the learning was fun.

 Mrs. Lakisha Watkins is a wife of 13 years, mother of three beautiful children, God-fearing and an advocate for children. She is also a proud graduate of Canton Public Schools with honors. Her parents were both in the military, which enabled her to travel when she was younger. Once her parents retired, she became a permanent resident of Canton, which she never regrets.

 In 2005 Mrs. Watkins began her educational career as a teacher assistant in the Canton Public School district. She has worked for JPS as an afterschool coordinator and The Kirkland Group as a tutor for 4th and 5th graders. While working as an assistant, she had the privilege of working on many committees (School-wide planning, PRYDE, PTA, 21st Century Afterschool Program and Pennies for Patients Coordinator). She has also had an opportunity to work with many wonderful teachers, who inspired her to go back to school to get her degree. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 2011, from Jackson State University and is currently pursuing her Masters in Educational Leadership from Mississippi College.

Lakisha Watkins has held many honors and achieved various accomplishments during her on-going educational career. She has been awarded Academic Achievement, Outstanding Service, Nissan Mini-grant recipient, Grade-level Team Leader, Teacher Support Team Co-Captain and Who's Who Among Math Teachers to name a few. Although she wears numerous hats, her first priority is her students. She believes all students can learn and she attacks that concept on a daily basis.

Lakisha Watkins fosters that love of teaching in her own students through an annual campaign in which her school raises money to benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma patients. This teaches them about responsibility and the compassion of helping others less fortunate than themselves.

 As grade level chair at Goodloe Elementary, Mrs. Watkins also serves as a mentor to new teachers and is a building trendsetter in introducing creative instructional techniques, such as interactive games, into classrooms. Many have said that Mrs. Watkins brings "creative energy and intellectualism and is serious about the excellence of her work."

Lakesha Meeks Doyle, daughter of Mary Hughes Meeks and Walter Meeks, is a native of Canton, MS and a 1995 graduate of the Canton Public School District. She is married to Henry Doyle, Jr. and together they have two sons, JaKorri and Javian who are both students within the CPSD also. Lakesha found her passion for teaching when she was in elementary school herself. She always looked at lessons and teaching from the teachers point of view, rather that the student.

Lakesha obtained a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Jackson State University, Masters in Elementary Education from Kaplan University, and is five months away from receiving a Specialist in Educational Leadership from Mississippi College.

Lakesha believes the most rewarding part of her job is working within the district that is responsible for her very own K12 education. Playing a role in building up the very community of which you have always been a part of is priceless. Lakesha takes pride in teaching in this district because she teaches children of people she has known for years from the community. Working with former educators and administrators, and even classmates is just a bonus.

Lakesha takes the same skills used in the classroom to the Mt. Able Missionary Baptist Church where W. A. Travis, Sr. is her pastor. At Mt. Able, Lakesha serves as Assistant Youth Director, Youth Choir Director, and Youth Liturgical Dance Director. There again, she inspires and motivates children to reach for the stars. Explaining to them that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to if they only work hard and believe.

Chelsea Kilgore is the daughter of Robert and Connie Kilgore of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She grew up in Hattiesburg and graduated from Presbyterian Christian High School in 2008. Chelsea is the oldest of three children, Lori Lee and James Robert. She has taught at Reuben B. Myers School of Arts and Sciences for three years, and currently teaches Kindergarten. She is an active member of Pinelake Church in Brandon, Mississippi, where she teaches a Sunday school class of 9th grade girls. Her favorite scripture is 1 Timothy 4:12, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

Before coming to Canton, she attended Mississippi State University and received a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. In the classroom, she strives to give her students the best education possible by providing them with hands on activities that stimulate their creativity. She believes that these activities allow the children to explore and take ownership of their own learning.

Throughout her time at MSAS, she has served on a variety of committees in order to help promote parental involvement and student achievement. She is also a current and active member of the Reuben B. Myers PTA. She is privileged to work in a district filled with promise and innovation. She looks forward to the years ahead for her at MSAS. Chelsea believes in the vision of the district and is truly blessed to teach the children that walk through her classroom door each morning.

Vanessa Bennett has been employed at the  Canton Career Center since July 2010. During that time, she has accomplished many things and has promoted the Health Sciences Program. Below is a list of achievements during her employment as a Health Sciences Instructor:

• Completed Vocational Instructor Preparation (VIP) program for licensure in 2013.
• Planned online virtual activities classroom experiences through Blackboard and Canvas software 2010-2014.
• Chosen for Canton Career Center Teacher of the Year 2013
• Promoted the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Statewide Kindergarten Hand washing Project in Canton Public School District 2014.
• Wrote grant for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification for students and for instructors 2011-2012.
• A certified Basic Life Support-Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/ First Aide Instructor 2013- to present.
• Completed the Mississippi's Tuberculosis Surveillance certification 2013.
• The local chapter Health Occupations Students of America Advisor 2010 to present.
• Accomplished 100% membership for Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) students in her classroom 2012-2014.
• Planned and coordinated student clinical experiences at nursing home, hospitals, specialty clinics, and field trips 2011-present
• Planned field trip for students to view Mobile MRI Scanner in 2013
• Conducted Health Services clinic at Title I Conference 2011
• Arranged speakers and field trips for students in health care area 2011-present
• Increased student CPAS2 scores 2012-2014.
• Placed at the HOSA district and state competitions 2010-2014.
• Collaborated with academic teachers to implement the core curriculum 2013-2014
• Completed certification for Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Clinical Health Services 2014.
• Participated in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Leadership Conference 2011-2014.
• Procured scholarships for students in pharmacy technician programs 2012
• Completed Certification of Online Learning (C.O.O.L.) 2013
• Completed Internet Computing Core (IC3) for computer proficiency 2013
• Arranged select students to enroll in the University Medical Center for School of Health Related Professions (SHRPS) summer program 2014.
• Took students to the University of Southern Mississippi to view postsecondary nursing programs 2010.

            To be chosen to represent Canton Career Center as a candidate for Canton Public School District's Teacher of the Year is an honor because of the many qualified instructors who are employed.  I always do the best that I can to create a learning-centered environment for the students. Student-focused learning is a priority in my teaching philosophy. I enjoy what I do, and I have a choice to do something else if I wish. I am not here because I have been educated to do this exclusively; I am here because I choose to teach young adults to enter the health profession or any other profession of their choice. I am a registered nurse who chooses to teach.