The Marion School District is honoring some of its most outstanding educators with the announcement of its 2024-25 Teachers of the Year. Through votes of school staffs, one Teacher of the Year was selected from each school in the district, with one honoree being selected as the overall district winner.
This year’s Marion School District Teacher of the Year is Kathy Williamson, a kindergarten teacher at Herbert Carter Global Community Magnet. Williamson is also Teacher of the Year for HCGC.
Other honorees and their respective schools are Raven Dillard of Marion High School, Kelly Phillips of Marion Seventh Grade Academy, Kadashia Pounds of Marion Visual & Performing Arts Magnet, Jake Snyder of Marion Junior High School, and Trina Walls of Marion Math, Science & Technology Magnet.
Dr. Glen Fenter, Marion superintendent, had high praise for this year’s honorees.
“Our Marion teaching staff is outstanding, and these six honorees exemplify the very highest standards,” Fenter said. “I’m proud to work with professionals who bring such unwavering commitment and skill to their classrooms. Congratulations to this year’s recipients on this richly earned recognition.”
Kathy Williamson -- MSD Teacher of the Year & HCGC Teacher of the Year
A veteran of the Marion School District, Williamson has been teaching kindergarten at HCGC for the past five years.
“I feel incredibly honored that my peers think I am worthy of such an esteemed distinction,” she said. “I was totally shocked by this wonderful and exciting news! I really love and appreciate each of them.”
Williamson said she is particularly proud to be part of the school culture at HCGC. As a “Leader in Me” school, all students are given numerous opportunities to be leaders in so many ways. Williamson said this will benefit students throughout their educational journey and into the world beyond.
She also said she loves the kindergarten team at her school, as well as all the school’s administrators, staff, students, and parents.
“Thinking back over the 28 years I spent as a teacher, I feel that there have been many accomplishments that make me proud,” Williamson said. “But the top thing would definitely be the hundreds of children that I have had the opportunity to see grow academically, socially, and physically. The relationships I have made over the years with these students, their families, and coworkers are so incredibly priceless to me.”
Raven Dillard -- MHS Teacher of the Year
At Marion High School, Dillard teaches AP Literature and Composition and Honors English 10. She also serves as advisor for the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. This is her fifth year at MHS.
“Without a doubt, my favorite thing about teaching at Marion High School is the students,” Dillard said. “I genuinely love working with them. Their curiosity, creativity, and energy make each day fulfilling.”
She said one of the things she is most proud of is helping students who initially feel disconnected or disinterested in literature grow to love it. Watching them become excited to walk into her classroom is one of the greatest rewards of her job, she said.
“I feel incredibly honored to have been selected for this recognition,” Dillard said. “To be recognized by such a talented group of educators is truly humbling.”
Kelly Phillips -- 7GA Teacher of the Year
Phillips is an English teacher, team leader, and a member of the Guiding Coalition at Marion Seventh Grade Academy. She said she is truly honored and humbled to receive this award. Specifically, Phillips said being part of a school community where collaboration, respect, and high standards are prioritized makes her job a joy.
“What I love most about 7GA is the culture we have built together,” Phillips said. “It is a place where educators support one another, leadership uplifts us, and students are at the heart of everything we do. I am especially grateful for the inspiring and supportive leaders who continue to guide our growth.”
She said the greatest joy and accomplishment of her career has been investing in the lives of her students and colleagues -- watching them grow, thrive, and reach their full potential.
“This recognition fuels my desire to keep striving for excellence, and I am excited for all that lies ahead,” she said.
Kadashia Pounds -- VPA Teacher of the Year
A fifth grade math teacher at VPA, Pounds also serves on the school’s PBIS Committee and the GT Placement Committee, which allows her to support students both academically and behaviorally. She is in her third year at VPA.
She said being named the school’s Teacher of the Year is both an honor and a little overwhelming – in the best way.
“Being recognized by my colleagues -- people I deeply admire and learn from every day -- means the world to me,” she said. “VPA truly feels like home, and I see my colleagues as what most might describe as family. It’s a reminder that the work we do matters and that we’re all in this together. It’s incredibly humbling. It’s both an honor and a reminder of the responsibility we all share in shaping young lives.”
Pounds said she is most proud of the strong relationships she has built with her students and creating a classroom environment where they feel safe to take risks and grow. This includes work to make math engaging and accessible to all learners, incorporating arts-based strategies in all aspects of the curriculum.
“The creativity and energy that flows through our school are unmatched,” Pounds said. “Being at VPA means students express themselves in such unique ways, and it’s a joy to bring math into that mix. Each day I walk the halls and see myself in so many of my students, and knowing I'm able to really get them engaged with the curriculum wouldn't be possible if I didn't have the welcoming atmosphere VPA holds.”
Jake Snyder -- MJHS Teacher of the Year
Snyder is a ninth grade English teacher and head junior high football coach. This has been year number four for him at MJHS.
Snyder said being selected as the school’s Teacher of the Year was a great honor, and that it’s deeply fulfilling to see his hard work recognized by the people he works with.
“My favorite thing about teaching at Marion Junior High is the personal interactions,” Snyder said. “I enjoy getting to work with my students each day to help them grow and live fulfilling lives. The joy of seeing a student find success is what brings me to work every day. On top of that, the family environment with the other teachers is awesome. It would be hard to get through the challenges of the school year and life without the connections made with my coworkers.”
Snyder said it’s a special feeling to see the impact he is making on people, and watching them grow. This is the thing he’s most proud of, he said.
“It’s really cool when you go out in the community and hear, ‘Hey, Coach Snyder’ or ‘What’s up, Coach?’ It just really shows the positive connections you are making with your students.”
Trina Walls -- MST Teacher of the Year
In her third year at MST, Walls teaches sixth grade English Language Arts
“Being selected as Teacher of the Year by my peers is an incredibly humbling and amazing honor,” she said. “I’m truly appreciative that the things I do don’t go unnoticed. From my very first year at MST, I’ve felt a strong sense of family within our building. It most definitely takes a team to support and provide for our students the way we do, and I’m proud to be part of that team.”
She said her favorite part about teaching at MST is being with her colleagues. She said they spend so much time together that they’ve become family. They are truly a great source of support, she noted.
“I am most proud of watching my students’ growth, not only while they are with me for the year, but beyond,” Walls said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to keep up with my former students as some have navigated high school and college. Seeing them become successful contributors in society is incredibly rewarding.”
The Marion School District is an innovative and growing district that ensures an equitable, engaging learning community where every student is empowered to achieve academic excellence and personal growth. With more than 150 years of experience serving families in Crittenden County, the district offers a high school, a junior high, a seventh grade academy, and three award-winning magnet schools. For enrollment information, including information on school choice, visit https://www.msd3.org/ or call 870-739-5100.