MDE Names Gadd as 2019 Mississippi Teacher of the Year

By Talbert Toole
Lifestyles Editor
talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com

Hannah Gadd, LHS choir director for 6-12 grade, was named the 2019 Mississippi Teacher of the Year Friday.

The Mississippi Department of Education named Lafayette High School’s Hannah Gadd the 2019 Mississippi Teacher of the Year Friday.

Gadd, choir director for 6th-12th grade, said she was in disbelief when the department announced she was the winner of the prestigious honor. She even asked Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education, if she really had called her name.

“As I was reading my acceptance speech, it all started to sink in,” Gadd said. “I had been riding an emotional rollercoaster all day.”

Gadd had additional emotions besides her being named Teacher of the Year. Her brother has recently returned from a deployment to the Middle East this month. He was able to make it to the banquet along with her father. Gadd’s mother passed away last year and she said she wished she could have been there when she received this honor.

A local show choir sang the song “For Good” from the Broadway production of Wicked during the ceremony, a song that Gadd said her mother loved.

“In that moment, I realized that mom was there all along and she had the best seat in the house,” Gadd said.

Gadd was announced as the district’s Teacher of the Year in early January in addition to her recognization as the Lafayette High School’s representative.

She follows in the footsteps of fellow teacher Whitney Drewery, who currently represents the state as Mississippi’s Teacher of the Year.

Gadd said through this process she has been fortunate enough to meet incredible educators and bond over the power of music.

“My students are at the center of every lesson in my classroom, and I fiercely believe that students can do anything if they are giving the opportunities and tools to succeed,” she said.

Gadd has not been the only one to benefit from this experience. She said she and her student have extra confidence and excitement.

“Music is ‘Us’ before ‘I’,” she said. “This experience has reaffirmed my belief that we must work together to change the world.”

With this newfound opportunity, Gadd said she hopes to serve as an advocate for teachers and students who are involved in the arts or those who have been impacted by the power of music.

She said when she thinks of Mississippi, she thinks of the arts.

“Whether it’s the written word, strokes of a brush or strums from a guitar, Mississippi is home to some of the most influential artists in history,” she said.

Gadd follows in the footsteps of fellow teacher Whitney Drewery, who represents the state as the 2018 Mississippi Teacher of the Year.

Gadd said for Lafayette County School District to have back-to-back Mississippi Teachers of the Years is an incredible accomplishment.

“Every single teacher, student, and administrator is anchored to excellence,” she said. “I could not be more excited or honored to represent my students, colleagues and school district.”

The Mississippi Teacher of the Year program recognizes exemplary teachers in the state. The award recipient also receives a $5,000 stipend and will share expertise through various presentations and activities. Gadd will represent Mississippi in the National Teacher of the Year competition. In addition, she will travel to Washington, D.C., to meet the President and First Lady and will participate in a Rose Garden recognition ceremony at the White House.