April 28, 2017 (More Photos) - Michelle Covington-Richards and Adam Ramirez both received top honors at the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Teacher Appreciation Reception held Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at the John D. Windham Civic Center.
Mary Lynn Tinkle welcomed teachers and administrators from across the county before presenting a new award, Friends of Education Award. Tinkle, with heartfelt praise and gratitude, was honored to recognize Pam Phelps for her years of work helping to recognize educators for their dedication. She spoke about Phelps and her various achievements over the years, "When some advised [Pam Phelps] to put only older more experienced people in chamber offices or in committee positions instead of younger people, Mrs. Phelps said 'well why not put younger people in?' Now young adults serve in every capacity in the chamber, are role models for our youth to look up to, and know they can have a place in serving in our community. When someone said everybody in Shelby County knows all they need to know about Shelby County, there is no reason to teach them anymore. The teacher inside Pam Phelps said 'why not.' She developed a unique program called Leadership Shelby County where team members learn about Shelby County's unique history, it's civic organizations, they visit schools and businesses and become equipped with knowledge and passion to share all the benefits of living and working in Shelby County."
Mary Lynn Tinkle ended saying, "Mrs Phelps is the true definition of a servant leader. She puts the needs of Shelby County and it's residents foremost and worked tirelessly to promote the towns and the people of Shelby County. For all she does for our Shelby County youth, Pam Phelps is the first recipient of the Friends of Education Award. Why Pam, why not, no one deserves it more." Accepting the award on behalf of Pam, who was unable to attend, was her daughter-in-law, Amber Phelps.
The primary reason for the reception then started with each Shelby County School Principal coming to the stage to recognize and present their campus Teacher of the Year with a certificate. 2017 Campus Teachers of the Year are Mary May - Excelsior ISD; Casey Gamble - Joaquin Elementary; Amanda Freeman - Joaquin Junior High; Lisa Barton - Joaquin High School; Michelle Covington-Richards - F.L. Moffett Primary; Kimberly Hearn - Center Elementary; Kathy Johnson - Center Intermediate; Sharon Rice - Center Middle School; Adam Ramirez - Center High School; Monica Caldas - Center Christian Academy; Rose Jones - Shelbyville S.W. Carter Elementary; Anita Sheppard - Shelbyville Middle School; Nichole Tindol - Shelbyville High School; Cindy Bush - Timpson Elementary; James Foster - Timpson Middle School; and Danielle Smith - Timpson High School.
The Campus Teachers of the Year were commended for their dedication to the students including their heart for educating and pushing their student to achieve in all things. The teachers work to instill character and values in their students prepares them to achieve success in the classroom and in life.
Before announcing the Shelby County Teachers of the Year, Tinkle said, "Every year when the committee gives me their two choices, they always talk about how difficult the decision was and we can see through the wonderful presentations of our principals made today about their teachers, so heartfelt, that truly we are blessed in Shelby County to have such fine, outstanding educators."
"A student of our Elementary Teacher of the Year describes this teacher as 'sweet, helping me learn new things and she encourages us to be nice and to trust each other. [She] says her class is so much fun and that she learns so much.'" Tinkles continues, "Even after 20 years in the teaching profession she continues to be excited about what she teaches and she describes her job as the noblest of all professions. She is the teacher, truly that every parent wishes they had in school and the teacher they want for their own children to have. She strives everyday to be the kind of teacher to her students that she would want for her own three boys to have. Even when she has faced personal tragedy, it was with her own family, her students, and her school family that she found comfort and the desire to carry on with the teaching knowing that she was building the future one student at a time. I am honored to announced that Ms. Michelle Covington-Richards is the Shelby County Elementary Teacher of the Year."
Tinkle then announced the Secondary Teacher of the Year, "After graduation from Center High School in 2000 he attended Panola College and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a major in Graphic Design. With these skills he was prepared to leave small town living behind and move to the business world for work in Houston as senior exhibit designer for Skyline Displays of Houston for seven years. It was then after seven successful years in the business he felt the desire to return to the place from which he came and begin a new career. A career for which he had true passion and a tremendous talent and skill - teaching."
"He knows however that the students don't care how much he knows until they know how much he cares. He cares deeply for each of his students and believes that showing respect and trust for his students are key characteristics in creating a favored environment both inside and outside the classroom." Tinkle continued, "The best thing about our Secondary Teacher offers his students is himself. He's an outstanding role model that is proof positive that through hard work and determination goals and dreams can be achieved. And that the American Dream is within reach of all students who are willing to work hard enough. He also is a role model to show that self confidence is the foundation of all great success and achievement and he wants all of his students to have that confidence in themselves. And finally where your heart is there is where you will find your treasure and for our Secondary Teacher of the Year his treasure is his students. It is my honor to present to you our Secondary Teacher of the Year Adam Rameriz."
Shelby County School District Superintendents and Principals were recognized. Gold Sponsors of the the event were Farmers State Bank and Shelby Savings Bank. Silver Sponsors were Dr. James Hockenberry, Boom Boom Photo Booth, and Bird & Crawford Forestry. Sabine State Bank presented both Shelby County Teachers of the Year with a special gift basket.
