Lauderdale County School District named Misty Atkinson, a West Lauderdale Elementary Teacher, Thursday as the district’s elementary teacher of the year.

The presentation came a day after the district recognized the district’s administrator and other teachers of the year,

Atkinson teaches fourth-grade reading, language arts, science and social studies at West Lauderdale Elementary. Her other duties include Handwriting Committee, Language Arts co-chair and inclusion teacher.

While at WLE Atkinson has received honors as Lead Teacher, Teacher of the Month and Teacher of the Year.

She has 20 years teaching experience,10 of those with the Lauderdale County School District.

Atkinson began her career in the Meridian Public School District System at West End Harris. While there, she taught kindergarten, first, second, and third grades. During her tenure with the MPSD, she received honors as Teacher of the Month (several times), New Teacher Mentor, Response to Intervention Adviser and Member of School Leadership Team.

Atkinson’s philosophy of teaching – that all children can learn and have the potential for greatness.