2023-24 HCSD Teacher of the Year

(February 19, 2024) - Congratulations to Mrs. Jessica Steffens of Lyman Elementary for being named the 2023-2024 Harrison County School District Teacher of the Year! She was honored by HCSD Superintendent Mitchell King and the Harrison County School Board on Monday night. 

"I am honored to have received District Teacher of the Year. We have so many great teachers, and I am truly grateful for the recognition. Thank you!" said Mrs. Steffens.
 
Mrs. Steffens has been teaching kindergarten at Lyman Elementary for seven years. Before that time, she taught at Crossroads Elementary for four years. Her main subjects are ELA, math, science, world civics, and computer science. She earned her associate degree in elementary education at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 2011 and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2013.
 
“My decision to become an educator was a simple one. While I enjoyed my experience working with children in preschool, it was clear early on that I wanted to be a bigger part of the educational journey of my students,” said Steffens. “Being a kindergarten teacher affords me the opportunity to help establish a foundational love of learning.”
 
Mrs. Steffens believes building relationships with students is a critical part of the learning process, and once the connection is made, a child can reach or exceed the high expectations set for them. Mrs. Steffens says establishing and nurturing meaningful relationships will serve children in kindergarten and beyond. She also thinks it is important to allow students to be problem solvers and collaborate and communicate with their peers. Understanding that every child comes in with different experiences and challenges, she strives to meet each student where they are and works to build strong, confident students. She also enjoys building stronger bonds between the community and her classroom and across the grade levels.
 
“As the grade level chairperson for the last two years, I have had the opportunity to share with and learn from some of the best and brightest in the business. I enjoy meeting with my team and sharing ideas and suggestions to help grow our students. I’m always on the hunt for more and better ways to help my students reach their full potential,” said Steffens.
 
Some of Mrs. Steffens’ greatest contributions include teaching students how to read. With her guidance, her students have showcased remarkable growth on the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment. One of her greatest accomplishments has been to have almost all her students reach a score of 775 or higher on the KRA for three consecutive years.
 
Mrs. Steffens compares her classroom to a garden, where each child’s potential grows into something extraordinary.
 
“The greatest reward is the knowledge that I have played a part in my students’ journey. It is like watching a plant grow from seed, to sprout, to flower. Once a part of my heart, they stay there forever. They truly become my babies, and I will always cherish watching them grow into the people they are meant to be,” said Steffens.

The Harrison County School Board also recognized educators selected as the 2023-24 Teacher of the Year from each school in HCSD. We would like to congratulate the following outstanding honorees:
 

• Bel-Aire Elementary: Katie Wiltz
• Creekbend Elementary & Middle School: Jaymi Lawrence
• Crossroads Elementary: Laura Roland
• D’Iberville Elementary: Julia Baughman
• D’Iberville Middle: Heather Young
• Harrison Central Elementary: Brittany Lyons
• Lizana Elementary: Dawn Halstead
• Lyman Elementary: Jessica Steffens
• North Gulfport Elementary & Middle: Francine Williams
• North Woolmarket Elementary & Middle: Bridgette Ellison
• Orange Grove Elementary: Wynndi Davis
• Pineville Elementary: Justus Holston
• River Oaks Elementary: Jeremy Waid
• Saucier Elementary: Rachel Necaise
• Three Rivers Elementary: Tonta Thompson
• West Harison Middle: Brenden Phillips
• West Wortham Elementary & Middle: Ann Marie Triplett
• Woolmarket Elementary: Lorn Parker
• Harrison County Alternative School: Natasha Mays
• Harrison County Child Development Center: Dayna Clark
• D’Iberville High: Tiffany Guthrie
• Harrison Central High: Laurie Lavender
• West Harrison High: Theresa Hixson