Discussing teachers, their benefits and their importance always seems to be a political point of contention.
Some people believe teachers are paid just the right amount or too much. Others say teachers are underpaid and are called to do far more with far less than ever before.
In some circles, the impact teachers have on the lives of our children is downplayed, while those of us with children know better.
Regardless of the side of the political aisle on which you reside, you can always look back in your life and find a teacher or two who made a positive impact in your life.
Perhaps you recall a coach who inspired you to never quit, or a math teacher who explained a difficult theorem in the perfect way for you to understand it.

“Those who educate children well are more to be honored than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well.”
― Aristotle

In today’s society, we have asked our teachers to do far more than teach.
We have asked them to be teacher, babysitter, counselor, motivator and in some cases, de facto parent.
State lawmakers have demanded better results from teachers, while doing little to invest in those improved results. State officials have left it to the local districts, governments and communities to rally together to give educators the full support they need to achieve great things.

“There are two kinds of teachers: the kind that fill you with so much quail shot that you can’t move, and the kind that just gives you a little prod behind and you jump to the skies.”
― Robert Frost

It is this support, this community support, that we take time to honor and compliment today.
For years the Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce has rallied around the Vicksburg Warren School District, as well as our private and parochial schools.
The Chamber has taken time to find support for programs and, with the annual teacher of the year honors, found ways to support our teachers.

“They inspire you, they entertain you,
and you end up learning a ton even when
you don’t know it”
― Nicholas Sparks

The 21 teachers who are up for the honor of elementary teacher of the year or high school teacher of the year are deserving of the honor of being nominated.
All you have to do is review the details of the nomination forms, or read the individual stories we have published in newspaper, to see how worthy they truly are.
While they may be identified as the best among their peers, we believe they are a reflection of the overall quality of educators the children in Warren County are lucky to have.

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”
― Albert Einstein

Publishing the stories of some nominated teachers has been our honor in recent days, and we hope you enjoy the ones to come.
We are also honored to partner with the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce to bring these stories to you, our readers.
The chamber should be applauded for its continued support of education in our community, and our teachers should be praised for the work they do each and every day.
The investments we make in our schools, in our teachers and the programs they use, are investments in our children and the future of Vicksburg and Warren County.