Who Inspires You?files.ctctcdn.com/bea4299a001/b50641e7-8f1b-4160-bb8e-e802d1a0… · Who Inspires You? The Science of Happiness –an Experiment in Gratitude. The Science of Happiness

Who Inspires You?

The Science of Happiness – an Experiment in Gratitude


My parents inspired me the most because they didn't finish high school and they had nine children that completed high school and three to complete college and two completed with Masters. Even though they didn't have a high school education, they were just as knowledgeable as a person with a degree. They knew God and were great parents.

–Genette Haggie, Yazoo City


First, I will give you a little history of how and why this person impacted me and inspired me to be the best MSIS data person possible. I moved back to Mississippi, after a bad divorce and went to work at my local school district, which happened to be the High School that I graduated from in 1982!! I was very green but I was computer literate so picking up the grading and attendance was easy, but then the district adopted the SAM program and we started reporting data to MSIS and OMG. I thought this is amazing and overwhelming at the same time. We were scheduled for a training in Jackson, MS with Central Access and I did not make the meeting because I did not think that I needed to go because I new it all (ha!!. My supervisor and mentor, Marilyn Eubanks called me and said, "I am scheduling you for the next training and you get your but down here and ride with me). She is the reason I love my job as Human Resources/MSIS Coordinator of my district. It is still a learning process!!!

--Claudia Boyd, Leflore County


I've known Martha Traxler for 17 years. We first met when I was working as the Elementary School Counselor at Cathedral in Natchez and she was a Counselor in Copiah County School District (CCSD). Later when we moved to Wesson, she became my direct supervisor. When I began working for CCSD as the Technology Facilitator, she introduced me to SAM's. One of the first meetings I attended with her was a SAM training. CCSD was about to switch over to SAM and I would be helping the teachers learn how to use the new program. I remember how excited she was about the new product and I was encouraged by her enthusiasm since this would be the first student package I ever used. Martha was and always has been a SAM supporter.

--Rosie Nettles, Copiah County


Mrs. Helen Jones taught me in high school. She never lost her temper or her smile not matter what happened in class. Not only did she teach her subject matter, she taught me that strength under control, in and of itself, can accomplish great things. At age 87 she is still very active, and I have often wished to be more like her.

--Anonymous, Petal Schools


The person who has inspired me, is my son. He was told by coaches, you will never play defensive end in college because, you are only 5'10 weighing 220 lbs. You're not tall enough, not big enough! I'm happy to say, he is playing that same position, and not only that; he has over 50 tackles and 2 sacks, and the season is not over yet!What if he had listen to the coach, and not even tried!!! A quitter, never wins!!!!!

--Jearleain Magee, Covington


My mother and daughter have inspired me to reach for larger goals in life. I am motivated by failure, rather than success. Failure teaches me lessons that success will not allow me to see. My mother, being a woman of God, has instilled core Christian values in me. My daughter, at the young age of 7, has pushed me to be a better mother and role model.

-- Allyson Majors, Canton Schools


The person who has inspired me the most in my life is probably the same as most people that being my mother. My mother grew up in a very poor family with all members having to work to help her single mother. Needless to say, that did not put receiving an education on the top of the priority list. Only receiving an 8th grade education, my mother was probably one of the smartest persons I know. She was starved for knowledge and read anything that she could get her hands on. She embraced this modern world that revolves around technology rather than feared it. From the very moment she removed herself and her 2 very young children from an abusive marriage, she encouraged each of her children to receive the best education possible and make things happen. Everything that I do to help the lives of the high school students and the lives of the staff better, I owe to her. Even in her death, she in the background telling me to do what is right and continue to try to make a difference.

-- Dina Holland, Jackson County


I have had a lot of inspiring people in my life but four weeks ago a man in a Dodge truck hit my sister while she was driving her motorcycle and left her side the road. An elderly couple heard the crash, came to her aid, called 911 and stayed with her until help arrived. She has had eight surgeries and is having another one today. On last Monday part of her leg got amputated below the knee and the doctors are not sure if they will have to go farther. The couple that assisted her came to visit her on that day not knowing what was scheduled. She was overjoyed to see them. Although she has many more surgeries in front of her and a long process ahead she has never been depressed nor angry. Her focus has always been on God. Her words to me were, "If God let this happen to me, I know He has something greater for me. I have forgiven the one who did this so I can heal." Her faith has inspired me and so has knowing we have good people, like the couple that helped her, left in this world.

--Jungeline Williams, Covington County


My mother. Never having worked outside the home, when my father became ill, she became the breadwinner and caretaker as well as taking care of us six children. Because of her, I became the first (I am the baby) to be able to go to college.With her as a role model, I have been able to deal with all that life has presented.

-- Martha Traxler, Copiah County


My parents are my biggest inspiration. They taught me that no matter what comes and goes in life, I can be whoever or whatever I want to be. They taught me to work for everything that I want and to never settle for things and become complacent in life. I strive daily to instore this to my own two daughters so that they will truly know that we only want whats best for them and no matter what to always be happy.

-- Sharon Evans, Okolona Schools


MY DAD!! Who was also my middle school principal!He was in education for 42 years in several capacities.... from teaching (of which he had to take a break from to serve in WWII), to coaching, principal, and Superintendent of Education for Itawamba County.He had 3 BEAUTIFUL traits that made him an extreme standout in everything that he did ... especially his career.1-He was Godly! First and foremost! (for this I am MOST grateful)2-He was ever-learning! He challenged himself constantly until Alzheimer's took it's toll in his 80's.3-He was wise! He learned from EACH situation and applied it to the next in order to better handle it.He and my mom loved like none other. In their 50's when they adopted my brother and me forever changing our lives!! You would NEVER have known we weren't "biological"!!INSPIRATIONAL???? I'll Say!!

--Belinda Dill, Itawamba


A previous boss who made me read and completely digest, outline, and live the book, "How to Win Friends and Influence People". Life changing.

--Brenda Fore, Jackson County


My parents have inspired me. They did not have much of a formal education, mom to the 6th grade and dad to the 8th, but they had 9 children all of which attended college and 8 with at least a Bachelors degree. They did not have a formal education but knew that for their offspring to make it in this world they needed to go to college and we all did.

--Sarah Richard, Benton County Schools

Who Would You Like to Celebrate?

Who would you like to celebrate?

I would like to celebrate my co-worker JungelineWilliams. Last year around this time, she was by her dying mother's side, and could not attend the conference with us. Since then, her special needs child has been sick, and hospitalized several times, and her sister was recently ran over on her motorcycle by a hit and run driver which resulted in her sister losing part of her left leg. Through all of her triumph, she always kept a positive attitude, she never brought her problems to work. she always remained professional ; although we knew she was hurting deeply inside. She is tuff as nails, and we all adore her!!!!

--Jearleain Magee, Covington


Tammy Dean-Webster County's SAM/MSIS Director should be celebrated!!She is one smart, dedicated lady! She goes above and beyond to support SAM/MSIS personnel!No problem is too big for her to tackle!And if Tammy doesn't know the answer to a problem, she won't stop until she finds someone who does! She keeps us informed on the latest updates and changes and handles the situations we can't.It is such a joy to work with someone who is so dedicated to her job and to helping others!But that's not all Tammy Dean does! Not only does she work full-time for Webster County Schools, she owns and operates her own private business.Can you say TALENTED!!Tammy Dean is the best and should be celebrated!!

--Sandy Gilliand, Webster County


Teresa Garcia! She is our cheerleader and turns the most daunting task or mistake into an awesome opportunity to learn. One cannot leave a conversation with her feeling bad or worried.

-- Anonymous, Petal Schools


Yes, My Director Mrs. Letitia Johnson. She is a very intelligent, loving, kind, respectful, hard working person. She loves her job and know how to be a great leader. She is always available to help and very understanding.

-- Genette Haggie, Yazoo City


I would like to celebrate Martha Traxlerfor the reasons mentioned above and also because she is planning to retire this year. She has worked in the field of education for 40.5 years, which is an accomplishment in itself. 27.5 of those years have been spent with CCSD(she began working when she was 10 years old haha).

-- Rosie Nettles, Copiah County


I would like to celebrate Covington County School District's Business Manager, Mrs. Emily Beach. She is not always the most liked person in the district because she has to tell the employees the right way to do things and what the law states. She takes her job and the well-being of the district very seriously and tries to keep us on the right track. She has a caring and compassionate heart and loves people. She tries to be there for the employees of the district in every way no matter how she is treated. She never lets emotion take over professionalism. I work in the office with her and I see first had the dedication and time she puts in to make our district successful. Today and everyday, I would like to celebrate our Business Manager, Mrs. Emily Beach.

-- Jungeline Williams, Covington County


I would never pass up an opportunity to give the Petal School District a shout out! I have watched and been a part of its growth for 26 years. And each year I am in awe of the willingness on the part of administrators, teachers, staff and community to try new things to improve what we offer our children! Our discipline numbers are falling as our attendance numbers rise due to implementation of Shared Decision Making Councils,Conscious Discipline, the Wishing Well and attendance incentives. The mission of the Petal School District is to empower all students with the attitudes, knowledge, and life-long learning skills essential to thrive as responsible citizens in an ever-changing global society. The children of Petal, MS have a wonderful place to grow and learn.

--Anonymous, Petal Schools


HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLYSON MAJORS

OF CANTON SCHOOLS!


I will be retiring on December 31 and wish to thank all of the staff at CA for their help over the years that we have been associated.When I first came to the Central Office in 2003 and saw the SAM student package at a data conference, I knew that as soon as I was appointed to be over the data in our district that I was going to advocate for SAM.When we got the product and the school staffs were trained, they created a giant thank-you card to give to the superintendent for having SAM.I think this is one of the best gifts I could have given to the district.Thanks CA Staff!

-- Martha Traxler, Copiah


I would like to celebrate Angela Welch and Jo Ann Henderson of CA!

-- Jeanise Andrews, Lowndes County Schools


I would like to celebrate all my co-workers from our school district. I don't want to name names because I don't want to leave anyone out :) -These men and women come to work daily with one goal in mind and that is to teach the children how to become independent young adults. They are also role models for those students wishing to persuedegrees in area of business, administration, teaching and other distinguished related fields.

-- Sharon Evans, Okolona Schools


Shelly Barnett - for being such a conscientious person, always willing to learn new things and teach others.

-- Brenda Fore, Jackson County


Lowndes Co Schools - We just completed ELI (Engaged learning iniative where all of our students in Grades 5-12 have macbooks and K-4 ipads. We just finish giving out all our devices to 6-8th grade. We also implemented a LMS with Schoology where Central Access has been great with having a SIS connection with Schoology. We have 5,200 students. This summer was busy with getting all of our students computers out of the classroom and this summer we will get rid of all the student workstations..

-- Jeanise Andrews, Lowndes County Schools

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Who Inspires You?files.ctctcdn.com/bea4299a001/b50641e7-8f1b-4160-bb8e-e802d1a0… · Who Inspires You? The Science of Happiness –an Experiment in Gratitude. The Science of Happiness