Nichols Elementary Math and Science Teacher Named 2010 Mississippi Teacher of the Year
Brad Shonk, a fourth grade math and science teacher at
Nichols Elementary School in Biloxi, was named the 2010 Mississippi
Teacher of the Year today at a luncheon held in Jackson. The Teacher of
the Year program is sponsored by the Mississippi Department of Education
and the Mississippi Teacher Center.
Shonk has served as a teacher since 1999 and has enjoyed spending
additional time with students who need to have more time to learn. For
the past eight years, he has worked as an after-school tutor working
with failing and at-risk students. He has dedicated most of his career
helping students who need the additional help to achieve.
Shonk brings passion, energy and a work ethic that is second to none to
his teaching career. He is inspired by people who go above and beyond
in everything that they do. His style of teaching ensures mastery of
the work because he works with students in proportion to how much help
they need. He believes that time is the great equalizer in education.
“Some students can learn a problem in one try,” said Shonk.
“Some students may need several days of instruction to learn a
specific skill. As a teacher, I do not want to be the reason that my
students are not learning.”
Shonk’s teaching skills uses the power of repetition because, if a
concept is continually repeated, the student has a greater chance to
learn the skill. He also uses index cards as he moves around the
classroom to write down specific names and skills of a student who may
be struggling. At the end of class, Shonk will prepare specific math
problems for the student to take home and spends extra time with that
student the next day to make sure they understand the concept.
In his spare time, Shonk is heavily involved with Biloxi First United
Methodist Church and has served as a missionary to help rebuild homes in
North Carolina.
He is a recipient of the 2009 Beverly Briscoe Rotary Club Biloxi
Schools Teacher of the Year Award.
Melinda Kopp (Congressional District 1), Chickasaw County School
District was named 2010 Mississippi Alternate Teacher of the Year.
Other Congressional District finalists include: Chelsa Rash
(Congressional District 2), Cleveland School District and Liz Garner
Michael (Congressional District 3), Meridian School District.
About the Teacher of the Year Program
The Mississippi Teacher of the Year Program (MTOY): The Mississippi
Teacher Center (MSTC) recognizes outstanding educators from across the
state. Each school district selects a District Teacher of the Year.
From the entries, an intensive selection process results in four
congressional district winners with one being named as Mississippi’s
Teacher of the Year. MSTC hosts a symposium, which provides
professional development sessions conducted by national, state, and
local educators and a banquet or luncheon honors these outstanding
District Teachers of the Year, congressional district winners, and the
Mississippi Teacher of the Year. Mississippi’s TOY receives a $5000
salary supplement from the Mississippi Department of Education and
represents Mississippi in the National Teacher of the Year competition
in Dallas. In addition, he/she travels to Washington, D.C., to meet the
President and First Lady and participates in a Rose Garden recognition
ceremony at the White House. The MTOY is also asked to share expertise
through various presentations and activities for the improvement of
education in the state.
Mississippi Teacher of the Year Brad Shonk accepts
the honor at the Teacher of the Year Luncheon.
