Clinton Public Schools - Recognitions & Awards

The Clinton Public School District each year recognizes the teachers, administrators and parents who make excellence their only option, going above and beyond to educate the children of Clinton. Without the hard work of our faculty, staff and parents, we could not provide the high-caliber education we're known for. We are fortunate to have such dedicated educators and devoted parents in our school district.

Teachers of the Year

CPSD Teacher of the Year: Terri Curtis

Terri Curtis, Algebra teacher at Sumner Hill Junior High, is the Clinton Public School District's 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year.

“Every one of our Teachers of the Year does a fantastic job educating children,” said Dr. Phil Burchfield, CPSD superintendent. “Ms. Curtis is no exception, and I’m certain she will represent us well in the state competition.”

Curtis earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in math from Millsaps College. She began her teaching career in 1987 at Callaway High School in Jackson, teaching geometry and Algebra II. In 1989, she moved to Beaufort, S.C., where she taught consumer math, general math, geometry and Tech Prep Math at Beaufort High School and Battery Creek High School. She returned to Mississippi in 1993, and began teaching APAC pre-algebra and Algebra I at Chastain Middle School.

She came in Clinton in 2004, teaching Honors Geometry and Algebra I at Sumner Hill. She is National Board Certified, and also participates in peer coaching, serves as a mentor and holds memberships in various professional organizations.

“I believe all children deserve a quality education,” she said. “I believe teachers should be involved in all areas of the educational process, constantly striving for school improvement and higher student achievement."

Clinton Park Teacher of the Year: Brittnay Brown

Brown is a Mississippi State University graduate and has taught first grade at Clinton Park since 2005.

“I try to create a learning environment that shows my students that I am here to help them learn,” she said. “I want my students to be life-long learners.”

Said Clinton Park Principal Suzanne Hollingshead: “Brittany is always cheerful, confident, and prepared. No matter the situation, Ms. Brown is composed. I always feel recharged after conversing with her because she has offered some words of inspiration. She is a valuable role model to parents, students and faculty members.”

Northside Teacher of the Year: Sarah Rottler

Rottler is a graduate of Belhaven College and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in education. She has taught second grade at Northside since January 2007.

“I feel I have been called to teach, and with that I hope to empower children with the knowledge, morals and life skills they will need in order to become productive, respectful and successful citizens,” she said.

Eastside Teacher of the Year: Cindy Stanford

Stanford is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, and has taught fifth-grade science since 2004.

“My goal is to reach and positively impact every single student that comes into my classroom,” she said. “I want to encourage them and let them know that I am genuinely interested in who they are.”

Said Eastside Principal Cindy Hamil: “Mrs. Stanford has the ability to engage all students in learning by using many creative approaches. Her classroom is brimming with diversity, from the brain and liver in a jar to the student-made states and capitals mobiles hanging from her ceiling.”

Lovett Teacher of the Year: Leanne Osborne

Osborne is a University of Southern Mississippi graduate and has taught sixth grade at Lovett Elementary since 2003.

“I want to make a difference in the lives of children,” she said. “My goal every day is to make my lesson meaningful to my students.”

Said Lovett Principal Richard Burge: “Mrs. Osborne demonstrates the highest level of professional commitment and competency in her work with students and colleagues. She sets high standards for herself and her students and then works hard to see that they are met. Her caring attitude and superior knowledge of the subject make her effective with students at all levels of ability.

CJHS Teacher of the Year: Susan Lee

Lee is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. She has taught remedial reading at Clinton Junior High since 2006.

“I want to make a positive impact on the lives of others,” she said. “It is my goal to positively affect my students and do my best to prepare them for what lies in their future.”

Said Clinton Junior High Principal Anthony Goins: “Mrs. Lee has an ability to turn students on to reading. Her caring attitude and superior knowledge of the content make her effective with students at all levels of ability. She is creative and innovative in her approach, and sets high goals for herself and her students. She then works hard to see those goals met.”

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CHS Teacher of the Year: Brett Robinson

Robinson earned his bachelor of science degree at Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership at Mississippi College. He has taught science and biology at Clinton High School since 2004, and is also a football and power lifting coach.

“Educators must recognize that education is not only about memorizing facts, dates, and formulas,” he said. “I believe it is critical for teachers to instill life lessons, the strength to cope with adversity, and the determination to strive for success.”

Said Clinton High Principal Eddie Peasant: “Many teachers, whether they are rookies or seasoned teachers, go to Mr. Robinson for advice on teaching and working with high school students. … He is highly respected among his peers and colleagues and will one day be very successful as a leader of a school.”

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Alternative School Teacher of the Year: Kendra Jones

Jones is a graduate of William Carey College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology, and master’s degrees in business administration and teaching. She began teaching at the Clinton Alternative School in 2007.

“Taking a subject and making it applicable to students in the present is the best way to help them understand and retain knowledge,” she said. “They begin to use what you have taught them to assess and evaluate situations in their personal lives.”

Said Alternative School Principal Bobby Hathorn: “I have found Mrs. Jones to be a pleasant, generous person who is never afraid to take on a challenging task … Mrs. Jones is an independent, self directed person who is able to communicate effectively and meet even the most demanding challenges.”

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Career Complex Teacher of the Year: Donna Adams

Adams is a Mississippi College graduate. She has taught individual and family health and occupational child care at the Clinton High School Career Complex since 2000.

Said Career Complex Principal Margera Harris: “She has a special gift for teaching students that are educationally challenged and require special accommodations in order to master needed curriculum objectives. Mrs. Adams demonstrates the belief that all students will learn and that each individual needs the opportunity to succeed.”

Administrator of the Year

Teresa Duke, assistant principal at Sumner Hill Junior High, is the Clinton Public School District's 2008-2009 Administrator of the Year.  
Duke came to Sumner Hill, CPSD’s ninth-grade school, in 1997. She spent five years teaching Technology Discovery, and has served six years as assistant principal.   
Prior to Sumner Hill, she taught at Columbus High School and Gulfport High Technology Center. She received a bachelor’s degree in Technology Education at Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in Administration from Mississippi College.  
She runs the school’s Web site, monitors attendance and curriculum, coordinates professional development and Tech Prep, and serves as SACS chairperson.  
“She demonstrates her daily love for students and enjoys encouraging them to become successful,” said Sumner Hill Principal Willie McInnis. “She is very supportive of the faculty and staff and helps to ensue we have a nurturing, caring environment here at Sumner Hill.”

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Parent of the Year

Alicia Wilbanks is the Clinton Public School District's 2008-2009 Parent of the Year.

“We had so many amazing parents nominated for the district title,” said Dr. Phil Burchfield, superintendent. “Mrs. Wilbanks is deserving of this honor. It is parents like her who help make Clinton the premier public school district in the metro area, and one of the best anywhere.”

She and her husband Chip have three children: Allyce, 21, a senior at the University of Mississippi; Annaclaire, 18, a senior at Clinton High School; and Abigail, 12, a sixth-grader at Lovett Elementary.

“I feel it is very important to stay in touch with each school and know what is going on in that school and the school system,” she said.

When her oldest child was going into the seventh grade, she said, they were living in northeast Jackson and their children were enrolled in First Presbyterian Day School.

“It was a great school and a great life,” she said. “It came time to make a decision about where Allyce would go to junior high and high school. As we weighed our options, Chip blew me away by asking me if we could go look at some of the surrounding communities around Jackson and possibly make a move to allow our children to attend public school.”

Alicia and Chip Wilbanks had both attended public schools as children, and felt it was a good thing to do. Still, she had reservations about moving her children from private to public schools.

“But we looked all around the different communities and really liked what we saw in Clinton,” she said. “Our friends at the time thought we were crazy — and sometimes so did I — but we decided to do it.”

It was difficult pulling up roots and moving the 20 miles from northeast Jackson, she said.

“But I cannot begin to tell you how much this change in our lives did for all of us,” she said. “The opportunities Clinton gave our children have impacted their lives in so many positive ways.”

Teachers and administrators in the Clinton Public School District were always kind, and fair, she said. And through the years, her children have excelled in academics, athletics and extracurricular activities.

“I feel it is only right to give back in any way I can to positively impact the schools the way they have impacted us,” she said. “I have served on every PTA or PTO board of every school in the system, and some several times, in any way needed, including president of Eastside for two years and Clinton High School."

“We are all in this together and I am so grateful for the many parents who came before me and all their hard work,” Wilbanks said. “I just hope whatever I do can help our schools keep moving in a positive direction.”