SHS Principal, Dr. Watress Harris, Rotary September Students of the Month Gabe Wubben and Carmen Hollinshed, and Rotary September Teacher of the Month Stephany Watson
On Monday, Starkville Rotary Club recognized Starkville High School teacher, Stephany Watson, as the organization's Teacher of the Month for September. Ms. Watson is a veteran teacher who has been part of the SHS faculty since 2021 and currently teaches Chemistry and Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry. She also serves as faculty co-sponsor of the SHS Student Council. As part of her Rotary recognition, Ms. Watson was invited to honor two Starkville High students as Rotary's September Students of the Month. She chose SHS Junior, Carmen Hollingshed, and SHS Senior, Gabe Wubben.
"Thank you to the Starkville Rotary Club for this honor, and for all you do to support education in the Starkville community," Watson said in her remarks at Monday's meeting where the honor was presented.
Although Watson acknowledged the challenges teachers face in serving families and students today, she was also quick to share the rewards.
"For me, one of the greatest rewards is the opportunity to walk alongside young people as they discover how they will make their mark on the world," she shared. "There is so much to celebrate in encouraging them to take risks, guiding them through their missteps, and celebrating their victories and breakthroughs."
Dr. Watress Harris, Starkville High School Principal and a veteran educator himself, nominated Ms. Watson for the Rotary honor.
"Ms. Watson was also named Starkville High School Teacher of the Year last school year, and she is very deserving of this community honor," Harris said.
He went on to share how Ms. Watson often serves as a mentor to other teachers in addition to her excellence in the classroom.
"She mentors and supports less experienced teachers, sharing teaching strategies, classroom management advice, and teaching ideas," he said.
Her teaching strategies and approach to managing the classroom have made Ms. Watson a favorite among Starkville High students in spite of the rigor required in her Advanced Placement class. In his comments leading up to her award as Teacher of the Year, Dr. Harris commended her for setting high expectations for students, regardless of their experience or background. These expectations are ones that she demonstrates in her own work ethic, setting a strong example for students to follow.
Ms. Watson spoke about the time she takes to meet students where they are, especially those who tend to be high achievers. She acknowledged that sometimes advanced classes can provide emotional and academic challenges to students who are accustomed to excelling in regular classes.
"Sometimes they get their first grade that is not an "A" in one of our AP classes, and it's hard for them," she said. "I try to help them see that they can move past it, and that they also have the ability to grow."
It's easy to see how much attention she gives to understanding and knowing her students when you hear how she describes Wubben and Hollingshed, the students she chose to honor as Rotary Students of the Month. She has taught the duo in both Chemistry and AP Chemistry class, and she outlined their student involvement for the club on Monday. She also chose three traits to highlight about each student.
Carmen Hollingshed, an 11th grader at SHS, is a member of National Honor Society, DECA, Beta Club and the SHS Chamber Choir. She also volunteers with 100 Kids Who Care. Ms. Watson described Hollingshed as highly creative, resourceful and meticulous.
Gabe Wubben, a senior at SHS, is a member of the SHS Band, competes with the SHS Cross Country team and manages a part-time job alongside his course load of advanced classes. Ms. Watson described him as insightful, resilient and witty.
Watson closed her remarks by sharing that both award-winning students share traits that she believes are "difference-makers" among young people. They each demonstrate an outstanding work ethic. They challenge themselves to grow and expand their abilities, and they accept responsibility for their outcomes even if things don't go as they hoped.
"These are the kinds of qualities that give me great confidence in the future," she said.
Dr. Harris finds a familiar refrain in what Watson shared with Rotarians as he thinks about what he sees in her classroom.
"Ms. Watson demonstrates respect, kindness and integrity in all her interactions with students and staff, and she shows a strong work ethic that sets an example for students," he said. "What she shared about our students –– it's what I see in her own approach to teaching every day."
Starkville Rotary Club demonstrates an ongoing commitment to supporting outstanding educators through it's Excellence in Education Committee. The committee recognizes teachers and students of the month during each month of the school year. The club also awards the annual Merrill Hawkins Excellence in Education Award to a teacher in Oktibbeha County whose technique, dedication, and expertise have brought distinction to their classroom accomplishments.
