The role of a classroom teacher is “a calling” not just a job, says Federal District Judge Brian Miller, whose own life and that of his father were set in motion by dedicated educators.
Addressing the assembly gathered Tuesday at J.F. Wahl for National Teachers Day, Miller said his father, Dr. Robert Miller, overcame a serious speech impediment as a child thanks to a teacher.
“My father had a speech impediment in 1947,” Miller said. “It took a teacher from Eliza Miller High School to improve his speaking impediment.”
Through connections with Xavier University in New Orleans, Dr. Miller overcame the speech impediment and that launched his future as a medical doctor.
Relating his own rise from mediocrity to the federal bench, Miller said he went from a “C” student through high school, “B” student in college and “A” law student at Vanderbilt University.
“They prepared me for college; law school; to be a judge. They prepared me for life,” Miller said.
Looking squarely at veteran educators, Miller said: “You don’t just change the life of one student, but others around.”
Miller said if teachers do not perform their duties as classroom educators “there will be chaos.”
Miller said Mattye Maye Whyte Woodridge, for whom a special award is presented, was instrumental in advocating the observance of National Teachers Day when the late educator spoke with Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Are you capable of living up to the legacy of Mattye Maye (Whyte) Woodridge?” Miller asked.
Mary Smith, a retired math teacher, was the Woodridge award recipient.
Teacher of the Year Awards were presented to representatives from each of four school districts in Phillips County. They were Brenda Frensley, Barton High School librarian; Susie Griffith, DeSoto’s K-4 director; Noami Doss, Marvell High School English and journalism teacher, and Ferry Tribune, third grade teacher at Beechcrest Elementary.
Certificate and cash awards were announced for students in the art and lyric contests.
Art winners were: K-3, Jasmine Randall, Westside, first place, $25; Adina Holloway, Westside, second place, $15; Ayanah Jefferson, Westside, third place, $10; 4th-5th grade, Bobby Boyd, Westside, first place, $25; 6th-8th grade, Kendaryious Murry, Eliza Miller Junior High, first place, $25; Palneshia Beasley, EMJH, second place, $15; Amanda Carr, EMJH, third place, $10; and Ricky Beckwood, EMJH, honorable mention.
Lyric winners were: 4th-6th, Katherine Wright, DeSoto, first place, $25; Misty Truitt, J.F. Wahl, second place, $15; Eric Dunlap, Wahl, third place, $10; Taelor Willie, Wahl, honorable mention; 7th-9th, Khyesha McCall, KIPP, first place, $25; and 10th-12th, Raynestra Sheppard, KIPP, first place, $25.
Annie Ruth Pike served as Phillips County Teachers Day Committee chairperson.
Elijah Mondy was the emcee. Attorney and former judge Chalk Mitchell introduced Miller.
