“I’m going to Disney World.”

An early Super Bowl celebration? No, it’s Tiffany Keen’s plans for her $1,000 Elementary Educator of the Year prize.

Keen, a third-grade teacher at St. Francis Xavier Elementary School, and Lakesha Batty, a pre-algebra teacher at Grove Street School, who was named Secondary Educator of the Year, were given the top honors Wednesday at the annual Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce luncheon and awards banquet.

Batty also received $1,000, and both took home plaques honoring their commitment to excellence in education.

“I’m very humbled by it,” Batty said after the awards, “but I don’t think it’s really hit me yet.”

Keen quickly agreed, saying she was “shocked and overwhelmed.”

In addition to the teacher awards, Ameristar Casino Hotel was named 2008 Business of the Year, and Sam Porter of Edward Jones was awarded the 2008 chamber Ambassador of the Year award.

This was the 20th year the chamber has recognized Vicksburg’s outstanding teachers, local attorney A.J. “Buddy” Dees said in introducing them.

Eighteen teachers were nominated for the awards, one each from most area public, parochial and private schools. Each of the school finalists received a $50 chamber gift certificate and a framed award.

The winners

Lakesha Batty, 2008 Secondary Educator of the Year

School — Grove Street, pre-algebra

Education — Bachelor’s degree in health science, Alcorn State University; Master of Education in biology, ASU; educational administration, University of Louisiana at Monroe

Membership/activities — L.A.C.U.E., ASU Vicksburg-Warren Alumni Association, current treasurer and previous secretary for Warrenton Elementary PTO

Philosophy — “Before I can teach a child anything, I must first understand how the student learns. Children possess diverse learning styles and skill levels that can be enhanced through a variety of teaching strategies. It is my job as a teacher to create an environment where every child can learn and achieve.”

Tiffany Keen, 2008 Elementary Educator of the Year

School — St. Francis Xavier Elementary, third grade

Education — Bachelor’s in elementary education, Mississippi State University

Membership/activities — National Catholic Educators Association

Philosophy — “My philosophy of teaching is that every child can learn and, although they may learn in different ways and at different rates, it is my responsibility to ensure that they have success in my classroom. Through professional development, workshops and advice from colleagues and administrators, I have gained knowledge for applying various teaching strategies in my classroom.”

Out of that pool, Batty and Keen were chosen for the countywide honors after an interview with a panel of five retired teachers.

Keen has taught kindergarten, fifth and third grade in her 15-year career, and was nominated once before for teacher of the year. She enjoys the third-graders, she said, because “they are still young enough that they accept assistance and they are still excited and motivated about learning.”

Batty teaches 7th- and 8th-graders at Grove Street, the district’s alternative school. She taught six years in Tallulah before joining the Vicksburg schools, where she is in her third year.

“‘Face’ and reputation is often what drives them,” she said of her students. She finds ways to appeal to them on those more social levels to get them motivated to learn and work.

District superintendent Dr. James Price said he was proud Batty was honored. “How many school districts give an award like this to a teacher in an alternative school?” he asked. The school is provided for students not performing well in traditional classroom settings.

Both Batty and Keen said their feeling of being one member of the larger group making up their respective faculties made the honor especially meaningful.

“It makes a difference having the respect of my peers as well as my students,” Batty said. “But I’m usually a supporter. It’s strange being out in the front.”

Keen agreed, adding, “I find strength with my fellow teachers. They are my strength.”

Accepting Ameristar’s Business of the Year award was general manager Adrian Caldwell. The company was honored for its many investments in the community, including building and remodeling projects in the hotel and casino, opening a new restaurant, deli and poker room and bringing country star Trace Atkins to Vicksburg.

“Ameristar serves as a role model to other businesses in their employment practices, high level of customer service and community involvement,” its nomination stated.

Porter, an advisor with Edward Jones and newcomer to Vicksburg, won as Ambassador of the Year for his work “orchestrating the 2008 membership drive” as well as his support for Chamber events such as Business After Hours, luncheons and networking, his nomination summarized.

Featured speaker was Clarion-Ledger and syndicated editorial cartoonist Marshall Ramsey, whose presentation included many of his cartoons, projected on a large screen, which poked fun at politicians from Frank Melton to Sarah Palin, honored Lance Armstrong for his battle with cancer, and found wry humor in the current state of the economy.

Ramsey, a melanoma survivor who was a Pulitzer Prize runner-up in 2002, told the audience it was important to “learn to laugh at the things that scare you.”

*

Contact Pamela Hitchins at phitchins@vicksburgpost.com