Mississippi Power Education Foundation rewards teaching excellence

The Mississippi Power Education Foundation has recognized three south Mississippi teachers with its annual Alan R. Barton Excellence in Teaching awards.

This year’s recipients of the award are:

  • Patsy Joyce Brock – Oak Grove Lower Elementary, Hattiesburg
  • Claudia Raymond Freeman – Pass Road Elementary, Gulfport
  • Susan Kirk Grinkemeyer – Ocean Springs High School

    Patsy J. Brock is a first and second grade teacher at Oak Grove Lower Elementary School. She is a member of the Mississippi Reading Association, International Reading Association, Mississippi Educational Computing Association, Mississippi Council of Mathematics Teachers, American Federation of Teachers and Parent Teacher Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Southern Mississippi. Brock has 13 years of teaching experience.

    Claudia R. Freeman is a mathematics teacher at Pass Road Elementary School. She teaches special needs children ranging from kindergarten through sixth grade. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Mississippi Early Childhood Association, Council for Exceptional Children, where she holds the position of Treasurer, Mississippi Educators Computing Association and the State Department of Education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology from the University of Southern Mississippi, a certification in learning disabilities from the University of South Florida and a certification in mental retardation from the University of Central Florida. Freeman has 25 years of teaching experience.

    Susan K. Grinkemeyer is a chemistry teacher at Ocean Springs High School. She teaches Chemistry I and Advanced Chemistry. She is a member of the National Science Teachers Association, Mississippi Science Teachers Association, Coastal Mississippi Association of Chemistry Teachers, American Chemical Society and Mississippi Educational Computing Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Miami University and a teaching certification from Cleveland State University. Grinkemeyer has 19 years of teaching experience.

    Each recipient received $500 and a plaque, $500 for classroom supplies and $1,000 for staff development at their respective schools.

    The Mississippi Power Education Foundation was established in 1984 to support excellence in education. In the past 15 years, the Foundation has awarded nearly $2 million in grants for education in Mississippi.