Jeanette Simmons Pontotoc, MS | K-6, Science, 2008

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Jeanette Simmons began teaching in 1972 and has taught second grade at South Pontotoc Elementary School in the Pontotoc County School District since 1977. She currently teaches second grade, where she teaches science, mathematics, and other core subjects. Key elements of Mrs. Simmons's approach to teaching are encouraging interactive learning, focusing on students' strengths, and making each child feel special. She provides her classes with real-life science applications and challenges students to think logically while motivating them with positive feedback. Her second graders use the scientific method to explore nature and energy conservation and work in South Pontotoc's environmental center with plants and creatures native to Mississippi. She supplements in-school experiences with field trips, such as touring a coal mine and digging at an archaeological site. Fellow teachers often seek her advice and she participates in many conferences, seminars, and workshops to improve her teaching ability. Mrs. Simmons has won many awards, including an Otis Allen Scholarship in 2008 and the National Energy Education Development Project Rookie of the Year at the Primary Level for 2006-2007. Mrs. Simmons has an A.A. in liberal arts from Wood Junior College and a B.A. and an M.A. in elementary education from Delta State University. She is certified in kindergarten through eighth grade elementary education. She is also a National Board Certified Early Childhood Generalist and a certified administrator.

• High-resolution version of the official portrait photograph
• Awardee holding Presidential certificate between Assistant Director of Education and Human Resources Wanda Ward and NSF Director Arden L. Bement
• High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

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