Julie Kennedy was named the 2025 SOCSD Administrator of the Year at the district's annual Employee Awards of Excellence luncheon in May. Ms. Kennedy is pictured with SOCSD Superintendent, Dr. Tony McGee.
"I can't think of a better way to cap off another semester and school year than to recognize and celebrate some of the most outstanding members of our team," SOCSD Superintendent Dr. Tony McGee shared as he stepped to the podium to open the district's annual Employee of the Year awards luncheon. "This year is a special one, as we have also celebrated the district's first-ever A-rating through Mississippi's accountability model. I'm incredibly proud of all of you for the hard work you've put in to help our boys and girls succeed in the classroom and beyond."
The annual celebration, held in May at Blueberry Peace Farm in Starkville, was presented in partnership with Renasant Bank. During the ceremony, SOCSD announced its district-wide and school-level Employee of the Year award winners for the 2024-2025 school year, including administrators, teachers, new teachers, certified, and non-certified support personnel as well as parent award recipients.
In addition to celebrating district staff winners, the event also recognized Jennifer Davis, SOCSD Director of Choral Activities, for her National Federation of HIgh School Associations (NFHS) national Citation Award as well as three employees who earned their National Board Certification during the school year. In December, SHS teacher, Vijay Pacharne and HWS teacher, Amy Bryant earned the NBCT designation, and SHS Counselor, Laura Prisock also earned her National Certified School Counselor designation.
"We are very proud to be a part of this special event," said Brad Jones, Renasant Bank's Starkville Vice President and Commercial Relationship Officer. "There is no greater work that impacts our community than what you do every day, and you all are very deserving."
Renasant donated funds for the second year to support the catered employee event.
2025 SOCSD Teacher of the Year: Shaina Kemp-Jefferson
Shaina Kemp-Jefferson serves as a 4th grade math teacher at Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School and was named the district's 2025 Teacher of the Year.
"Ms. Kemp-Jefferson's unwavering commitment to excellence is evident in her meticulous preparation, organizational skills, and punctuality," said Ra'mon Forbes, HWS Principal. "As a knowledgeable and nurturing educator, she not only imparts wisdom but also fosters a caring environment where every student feels valued."
Beyond that, Forbes shared that Ms. Kemp-Jefferson's approach consistently supports students who need additional help. By looking closely at student assessment data, she has implemented targeted small group instruction, a strategy consistent with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), to address specific learning gaps, and he said her commitment to their success extends well beyond the traditional classroom. Ms. Kemp-Jefferson makes a practice of conducting home visits with her students to support them, and has even engaged school counselors in providing support.
"Recognizing that several of our students were facing challenges beyond academics, Ms. Kemp-Jefferson proactively collaborated with our school counselor to address their social, emotional, and physical needs," he said. "This initiative ensured that students received comprehensive support, aligning with the principles of trauma-informed educational practices."
In addition to work in her individual classroom, Ms. Kemp-Jefferson also serves as a leader in HWS's Math Professional Learning Community (PLC), providing mentorship, support and creative ideas to the entire math department.
"Mrs. Jefferson's holistic approach to education, combining academic rigor with emotional and social support, not only fosters a nurturing learning environment but also exemplifies the profound impact a dedicated educator can have on her students' lives," Forbes shared.
As the SOCSD Teacher of the Year, Ms. Kemp-Jefferson will also submit a nomination packet for Mississippi's Teacher of the Year in January 2026.
2025 SOCSD Non-Certified / Classified Personnel of the Year: Darleen Randle Williams
Darleen Randle Williams works as a Cafeteria Cashier and Cook through the district's Child Nutrition Department, serving students and staff primarily on the Armstrong Junior High School campus. She has worked for the school district for 11 years and was named the SOCSD 2025 Non-Certified/Classified Personnel of the Year.
"During her time in our department, she has learned new tasks without any hesitation and taken on additional responsibilities," said SOCSD Director of Child Nutrition, Ginny Hill. "Darlene has been a cashier her entire time with the district. She interacts with all the students coming through the line and has developed relationships with them over the years."
Hill also praised Ms. William's work-ethic, noting how dependable she has been in her position and commenting on her willingness to work in any of the district's cafeterias and learn whatever skills are required to serve students.
2025 SOCSD Certified Support Personnel of the Year: Lesley Jones
Lesley Jones serves as 6th grade counselor at Partnership Middle School and was named the district's 2025 Certified Support Personnel of the Year.
"In any situation, Ms. Jones can find a solution," 2024-25 Partnership Middle School Principal, Jorine Neal, said. "She is an optimist and a natural problem solver. What I appreciate the most about her is that she invites others to learn with her along the way –– that is a sign of a true leader."
Neal went on to share that Ms. Jones was instrumental in helping her acclimate to her role as principal, and was always available to listen and work to accomplish ideas that the administrative team developed.
"Ms. Jones is gifted in the area of planning and execution," she said. "She can easily sense when an adult or student is becoming overwhelmed. She provides a calm space and listening ear. No project is too complicated or scary."
Neal said this approach provides unique opportunities to get to know and support students, and she has seen Ms. Jones make an effort to learn something individual about every student on campus.
"She models positive ways to interact with our middle school students daily," Neal said. Even if a child makes a poor choice, she uses that opportunity to teach them and build them up."
2025 SOCSD New Teacher of the Year: Ben Carr
Ben Carr serves as Carpentry and Construction Teacher at the Millsaps Career and Technology Center at Starkville High School and was named the district's 2025 New Teacher of the Year.
Because many of the district's Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers are industry practitioners, SOCSD 2024-25 CTE Director, Darien Spann, shared that they often come to their programs without much teaching experience. This didn't stop Carr from excelling, he said.
"Mr. Carr is 23 years old but has an old soul," Spann said. "That along with being a part-time youth minister really helped him to step in that classroom and take charge. He asked questions. He took constructive criticism and he made that classroom and shop his own. Students didn’t miss a beat."
Spann said Carr's organizational skills and willingness to collaborate with others not only helped him succeed in his first year at Millsaps and in the teaching profession, but to excel. Carr took the initiative to organize the shop classroom area as well as the outdoor areas, modeling the level of organization and care of materials that is often needed on a construction job site.
In addition, Spann praised Carr for working with nearly every CTE program at Millsaps to create unique learning experiences for students as well as community service projects.
2025 SOCSD Parents of the Year: Katelyn Wolfe and Lindsay White
Henderson Ward Stewart parent volunteers Katelyn Wolfe and Lindsay White worked together for the 2024-2025 school year to lead the school's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) as well as spearhead a school improvement project that will impact students for years to come. They were both named as the district's 2025 Parents of the Year.
"Lindsay White and Katelyn Wolfe have been involved in nearly every major school event and activity this year," HWS Principal, Ra'mon Forbes said. "They always step up with enthusiasm and a can-do attitude, no matter the need or project."
This can-do attitude was most greatly felt this year in the duo's leadership of raising funds and planning a new playground construction project for the campus.
"One of the most impactful contributions made by Ms. Wolfe and Ms. White this school year was their leadership in organizing a fundraiser that successfully raised over $80,000 to provide a new playground for the students at Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School," Forbes said. "Their dedication to this project not only enhanced the physical environment of the school but also demonstrated their commitment to improving the overall student experience."
The playground project, which will begin construction this summer, demonstrates the parent award winners' exceptional leadership as well as what Forbes described as a "deep understanding" of the importance of play to a student's development. When complete, the playground will serve and excite children for many years.
2025 SOCSD Administrator of the Year: Julie Kennedy
A 24-year veteran of the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, Julie Kennedy serves as principal at Overstreet Elementary School. She was named the district's 2025 Administrator of the Year.
"I have always felt you can judge the effectiveness of a school administrator by the support they give teachers," SOCSD Superintendent Dr. Tony McGee said, "and I don't think I've ever visited Overstreet when I didn't find Mrs. Kennedy in a classroom observing, talking with or mentoring her teachers."
Overstreet Elementary earned an A-rating in Mississippi's accountability model for the 2023-2024 school year, contributing to the district's overall A-rating. It was the only individual school A-rating earned for the year, and McGee underscored the importance of the culture and expectation of excellence created at the 5th grade school by Ms. Kennedy.
"Whether serving as a teacher or administrator at various schools and grade levels across our district, Ms. Kennedy has always risen to the challenge to set and model high expectations for those around her," McGee said. "As she leaves our district for retirement this year, it is only fitting that we honor her for the outstanding learning environment she has fostered at Overstreet over the years -- whether that comes from diving into data, supporting and building classroom instructors, or enabling innovative classroom experiences for students."
Kennedy began her career as a Yellow Jacket teaching science and served as an Assistant Principal for six years and Director of the Alternative School for four years before moving to the position of principal. During her 12-year tenure as principal, she has served at Henderson School, Armstrong Middle School, and Partnership Middle School, as well as Overstreet Elementary. Through her diligent support of teachers and students, Overstreet grew 45 accountability points to achieve its A-rating for the 2023-2024 school year.
At the May Employee Awards of Excellence luncheon, the district also recognized sixteen staff members who entered retirement at the end of the school year. Combined, the district honored more than 80 staff members and parent volunteers.
"Congratulations to all our award winners, and we thank our retirees for your tireless service to our families and community," Superintendent McGee said. "Our district is very fortunate to have so many dedicated educators, administrators and support staff who work together each day to provide excellent and innovative learning experiences for our boys and girls."
