DeSoto County Schools honors teachers of the year; board hears mentor-program update

The Southern County Board of Education recognized teachers of the year from across DeSoto County Schools and heard a presentation on the district’s mentor program during its regular meeting.

The board’s superintendent called the meeting a “favorite board meeting of the year” and introduced sponsor remarks from Michael Parker of First Horizon Bank, who thanked the district and said the bank provided gift bags for honorees. The board then read the names of teachers of the year by school zone and said the honorees will serve as the district’s Teacher Advisory Council, with a first meeting scheduled the following Tuesday.

The mentor program was presented by Gloria Edg and Cindy Prather as the Blue Teacher Academy/New Teacher Academy (NTA) mentor program. Presenters described five major components: a large July NTA kickoff, targeted sessions for first-year teachers, grade-level and specialist breakouts, in-class coaching and a session focused on teacher reflection and reset in January. Presenters said approximately 250 people attended this year’s kickoff, and that sponsor participation grew from 14 sponsors the prior year to 27 this year.

Presenters credited community partners for support, citing Goodwill Church’s year-round assistance and noting that the program added a coaching session this year in response to survey feedback. The program leaders described a new teacher leadership team made up of standout first-year teachers who help with NTA activities and later present breakout sessions. They also described a new, shorter professional-development track for second-year teachers focused on discipline and classroom management, and a mental-health/self-care session for teachers that will include licensure guidance and renewal support.

In-person testimonials followed the presentation. Casa Bassino, a first-year teacher, told the board the program had been critical to her first-year success: "I honestly don't know what I would do without miss Frazier and the program that her and miss Lori have done," she said. Jessie Ashmore, another first-year teacher in the district, described similar hands-on support during her initial weeks in the classroom.

Board members thanked the presenters and sponsors and said the district’s investment in mentoring has allowed staff to provide in-school coaching and targeted professional development. The board took no formal vote on the mentor program but noted the Teacher Advisory Council would convene and that mentors will continue in-class support and follow-up work.

The board moved on with the rest of its agenda after a group photo and a 10-minute intermission.