– Six outstanding teachers are being honored by the Mississippi Power Education Foundation with the company’s prestigious Alan R. Barton Excellence in Teaching Award. The highly-coveted award has been presented to a select group of educators in the company’s 23-county service territory since 1990.

Recipients of the Alan R. Barton Excellence in Teaching Award receive a personal check for $3,000 and a plaque to showcase in their classroom. An additional award of $3,000 can be used for professional development or classroom supplies and equipment.

"There are so many exceptional educators in the classrooms of Southeast Mississippi, working hard to strengthen the knowledge and improve the future of our students," said Becky Montgomery, executive director, Mississippi Power Education Foundation. "The credentials of the nominees were quite impressive. Choosing the top six was a very difficult task, and we wish we could reward them all."

This year’s recipients, selected from 63 nominees, are Kim Clemons, Jeff Davis Elementary School in Biloxi, Kimberly Jordan, Gautier Middle School, Robyn Killebrew, Pass Christian High School, Talia Lock, Long Beach Middle School, Sandra Norris, Glade Elementary School in Laurel and Howard Savage Jr., Mary Bethune Alternative Center in Hattiesburg.

Clemons teaches gifted students in grades 2 – 5. One innovative method she uses to connect with students is referred to as CSI-Biloxi. During this teaching unit, students perform more than 30 different experiments in forensic science including facial recognition, simulated blood typing, fingerprinting, fiber typing and handwriting analysis. In her classroom students use creative thinking skills that include originality, curiosity, risk-taking, and complexity.

Jordan is an IDEAS (Intellectual Development and Enrichment for Advanced Students) teacher. During her first year of teaching, her class started a school newspaper and a Black History in Motion Museum. She has added a National Poetry Month contest, a school play, a school talent show and her class manages the school website. Her students also work with special needs students as tutors and mentors.

Killebrew teaches PSAT and ACT math, transitional Algebra and Algebra I. She utilizes different teaching approaches to convey information to students. One approach is a competitive relay race that helps students increase their speed in solving math problems accurately. Math scores on PSAT and ACT have increased significantly as a result of her efforts. Four students have also been selected as National Merit Finalists.

Lock teaches eighth grade reading. Her students place words they find confusing in a "parking lot" and analyze the words’ meanings to produce synonyms. Use of the parking lot allows her to monitor students’ comprehension and other learning abilities. Lock makes an effort to teach beyond the curriculum to provide students the opportunity to stretch academically.

Norris is a reading tutor for grades K-6. She created "Sound Town", a multi-sensory reading tool to assist with the development of reading skills. Chants teach the sounds used in reading as the students dance and sing. Sound Town is currently used in all K-2 classrooms at her school. She has conducted workshops on this teaching method for the Jones County school district.

Savage teaches social studies for ninth to twelfth grade students. His students complete an innovative project called History Building Blocks. Through this effort, students choose an era in history and then construct a building on their topic using lecture notes, independent research and cooperative learning groups. He regards his teaching position as an opportunity to give back to society by providing leadership, guidance and support for his students who are coping with social and environmental issues.

Barton, for whom the award was named, was president of Mississippi Power from 1980 to1989. The award was established in 1990 to commemorate his dedication and contributions to the field of education. Since 1984, when Barton founded the Mississippi Power Education Foundation, the company has supported excellence in education throughout its service area by awarding more than $6.5 million in grants and awards to teachers, schools, school systems and educational projects.

Media Contact: Verdell Hawkins, 228.865.5543 or 1.800.821.6383, vhawkins@southernco.com

Gulfport, Miss.