Six South Tippah teachers and staff members have now spent a quarter-century in public education, and the district wants the community to know it. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, the South Tippah School District recognized Ripley Elementary’s Mindy Alexander for 25 years of experience. She is the latest honoree in a fall series the district calls its “slam dunk” hires.
The district shared a photo of Alexander holding a commemorative basketball, the keepsake behind the series name. “We appreciate everything she does for our district and the students at Ripley Elementary,” the district wrote. It added that she “has definitely been a ‘slam dunk’ hire for South Tippah.”
South Tippah Teachers Reaching the 25-Year Mark
Alexander joins five colleagues the district has honored since mid-October. Posts on the district’s website list these 25-year honorees so far:
Amy Adams, Tippah Career & Technology Center (Oct. 30)
Anita Hood, Ripley High School (Oct. 30)
Joey Bullock, Ripley High School (Oct. 30)
Liza Pannell, Pine Grove School, where she has spent 20 of her 25 years (Oct. 20)
Each post carries the same thank-you. The district says it appreciates the honoree’s dedication to students and calls each one a “slam dunk” for South Tippah.
A District-Wide Thank-You
The South Tippah School District serves students in Ripley, Blue Mountain and Pine Grove, along with the Tippah Career & Technology Center. The six honorees have about 150 years of experience between them, covering every level from elementary classrooms to high school and career-technical programs.
The recognitions come during a busy fall for the district. Its website has also been used to congratulate staff, including a recent post honoring South Tippah dyslexia therapist Ally Trull.
Why Veteran Educators Matter
Holding on to experienced teachers is hard for rural districts across Mississippi, where many educators leave in their first few years. A teacher who stays for 25 years often ends up teaching the children of former students. Many also coach or sponsor clubs for decades and mentor the newer teachers down the hall.
The district has not said how many more staff members it will recognize this year. Parents and former students who want to congratulate the honorees can comment on the district’s posts or reach out through their schools.
Know a Tippah County educator who deserves a shout-out? Send your nomination to Tippah News.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
