Arthur wins Outstanding Teacher award
Philadelphia native Erika McGee Arthur said she was shocked and feels very blessed to be one of only 15 interns at Mississippi State University-Meridian to receive the Outstanding Teacher Intern Award for spring 2023.
Arthur was among 200 teacher interns to apply for the award this spring and said her history with Union Elementary school was what put her over the finish line.
“I’ve been an assistant teacher at Union Elementary for the past two years along with being an intern there,” Arthur said. “I think it helped that I’ve been so flexible with them and how long I’ve worked there. My flexibility and determination to Union is what led me to this award.”
Arthur is the daughter of Eric and Cretina McGee, and was raised in Philadelphia. She graduated from Neshoba Central in 2018, attended East Central Community College, and graduated in May 2021.
After deciding nursing school was not her path, she attended MSU-Meridian for their teaching program.
According to MSU Meridian, the Outstanding Teacher Intern Award recognizes interns based on resourcefulness, initiative, and effectiveness throughout their teacher internships in area schools.
To receive the award, interns are nominated by their university program supervisors. Award recipients have demonstrated outstanding teaching performance, professionalism and a high level of commitment to the teaching profession. Award recipients receive their certificates at the end of each semester.
Dr. Lori Wilcher, Director of Federal Programs and Special Education for the Union Public School District, served as Arthur’s “University Supervisor” for the spring 2023 semester and said Arthur’s level of grit and determination, coupled with her academic ability, is what she looks for in a teacher.
“Erika exhibits all the characteristics of an Outstanding Teacher Intern,” Wilcher said. “She has flawlessly handled the unexpected situations that often come in the world of education. She has been a full time student, a full time employee, and a full-time wife and mother during her internship. What's more, her husband is preparing for deployment and she has often managed it all on her own. She will be a great asset to the education profession.”
Arthur said the Union School District superintendent wrote a letter of recommendation to Dr. Donna Shay at MSU-Meridian, recommending her as one of the interns who should receive the award.
She said she will be returning to Union Elementary for the 2023-2024 school year as a special education teacher in a self-contained room, which is for students who work better in a smaller setting.
“Now that I have obtained that position at Union Elementary, I hope to stay there, whether it be in the self contained room or a traditional classroom,” Arthur said.
Arthur is married Jace Arthur and they have one son, Luke. She loves spending time with her son and their dog Charlie and loves to read.