Baxterville School one of five in nation to receive Educator for a Day grant

LAMAR COUNTY, MS (WDAM) - High school students from across Lamar County and some community members gathered in Baxterville Thursday to see how teachers make a difference in students' lives. It was part of an annual Educator for a Day event, supported by Walden University.

Several students from the Lamar County Center for Technical Education Teacher Academy shadowed teachers in the classroom at the Baxterville School to see how they interacted with students.

The school has also received a $5,000 Educator for a Day Grant from Walden University. It was one of only five schools across the country to get the grant.

"The $5,000 helps Baxterville, so it's a partnership, so we're able to do what we do everyday, but actually help them to get this grant," said Suzanne Kelly, Teacher Academy instructor.

"Teachers have put such a big impact on my life that and I've loved that they did that, so I really want to impact young lives, like they impacted mine," said Cheyenne Chambliss, a sophomore at Purvis High School and a Teacher Academy student.

"You have to get in the classroom just to gain the experience and when you graduate and actually get into a classroom, you'll know how to handle it," said Carlos Woodard, a junior at Purvis High School who is also a Teacher Academy student.

"America needs good educators," said Savannah Holloway, a senior at Sumrall high school and another student at the Teacher Academy.  "I want to be one of the teachers that does care," she said.

The grant will be used to buy books and magazines to help teach Common Core state standards.

The Educator for a Day events are being held as part of American Education Week.

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