vTop Water Valley Teachers Earn Recognition Monday
DES teacher Cheryl Harris was recognized as the DES Teacher of the Year by school board chairman Taylor Trusty. Harris has earned the recognition three times during her 24-year career at the school.
By David Howell
Editor
WATER VALLEY – The best of the best at the Water Valley School District were honored during Monday night’s school board meeting as Cheryl Harris was named Davidson Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Sim Ramirez was recognized as the Water Valley High School and District Teacher of the Year and Drew Pitcock was named the district’s Administrator of the Year.
“It is really special to recognize a teacher that has gone above and beyond. All of our teachers do it every day, but it is nice to recognize this group,” Board President Taylor Trusty said as the awards were presented.
Harris is a 24-year veteran of the school district, teaching special education at DES.
“She teaches with a passion for education and a heart for little ones,” trustee Bryan Gilley reported during the presentation. “She values each and every child and assures that every day is filled with learning. She has a gift for motivating children with behavioral disabilities and made a direct and positive impact in their daily lives,” Gilley added.
Ramirez moved to Mississippi in 2008, teaching three years in the Coffeeville School District before joining the Water Valley High School faculty. He was credited with a long list of accomplishments, both in and out of the classroom. The list includes organizing and executing the annual Water Valley High School clothing drive, helping start the cross country track team and continues to coach the team, helping start the Water Valley Chess Club, sponsoring the drama club and directing various productions and tutoring students during his planning period and after school.
“Mr. Ramirez is repetitious for going far above and beyond for his students, staying up late at night and rising early to finish grading, rough drafts and essays so students have time for multiple revisions before the deadline,” Gilley said about Ramirez.
“I know that this man has had an impact on many students’ lives, I know because my children have been in his classes,” Trusty added. “I appreciate everything he does for the school and I appreciate the character with which he does it.”
Pitcock first worked as a law enforcement officer after a four-year stint in the Army. He taught history at Grenada High School while earning his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.
“Although he has only been with us a couple of years, we have all come to know and love and appreciate Mr. Drew Pitcock,” Trusty said about the administrator.
Pitcock was credited with improving the high school’s accountability score and graduation rate.
“More importantly, students’ attendance has increased and students’ discipline has decreased under his leadership,” Gilley said.
“I am so grateful to receive this award, but this is a small part of me. Without people like Mr. Ramirez, I don’t get this. They are the real rock stars,” Pitcock said about the recognition.
As part of the recognition the teachers were awarded a check from the Reedy Acres Foundation and a digital teaching device for their classrooms.
Other recognitions at the meeting included:
• November teacher of the month was awarded to Lecia Bain. Her accolades as a gifted education teacher at DES included always lending a helping hand, sharing her artistic talents and supporting the learning environment.
• December teacher of the month was Michelle Lewis. Her recognition as a math teacher include helping her students discover math in their daily life.
• Recognized 11 high school students for achieving the highest growth in I-Ready math or reading. The group included Abigail Allen, Kelton Bailey, Jerrick Bailey, Colin Benson, Adam Green, Xavier Hairston, Tyler McGuire, Parker Todd, Jaden Webbs, Felicea White and Tykala Woodard.
