Crestwood Elementary School Principal Dana Boyd-Bell, who led her school to an A-rating in 2023, has been named Meridian Public School District’s Administrator of the Year, while high school math teacher Donna Smith was named the district’s Teacher of the Year.

Boyd-Bell and Smith were both presented awards at a special recognition presentation during the Meridian school board’s Tuesday meeting. In addition to being the district’s overall Teacher of the Year, Smith was also recognized as Meridian High School’s Teacher of the Year.

“It is amazing. Meridian Public Schools is home and to be named Administrator of the Year is humbling,” Boyd-Bell said. “I am honored and blessed to be chosen.”

Crestwood Elementary jumped to an A-rating in the Mississippi Department of Education’s 2023 accountability system report released last fall. It was the first time for Crestwood to garner the top rating — and the first school in the district — under the state’s current accountability system that went into effect in 2014.

“I haven’t done this alone,” said Boyd-Bell, who has served as principal of Crestwood for the past four years. “It takes my whole staff to do this.”

A 22-year veteran of the education field, Boyd-Bell said Crestwood is achieving the goals she set for the campus after returning from a two-year stint at Carver Middle School.

“My goal when I returned was for it to become a successful school,” she said.

The only arts integrated elementary school in the district, Boyd-Bell’s goal is now for Crestwood to become a model arts school.

Smith was chosen for the district’s overall teacher honor from a group of educators named Teacher of the Year at their respective schools and were recognized and presented with medals during the board meeting.

“It is an honor to be chosen from so many talented educators in the district, and it motivates me to continue striving for excellence in my teaching practice,” said Smith, a 28-year teaching veteran.

Smith, who holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, has taught math at Meridian High since 2007. She currently teaches algebra I and honors algebra II.

She said being named the district’s Teacher of the Year “means my colleagues and supervisors recognize the hard work and dedication I put into my teaching every day. It is a validation of my passion for education and my commitment to helping my students.”

Recognized as Teachers of the Year for Meridian schools were Michael Murray, a Pre-K teacher at Little Wildcat Pre-K Academy; Deyantha Curry, a fourth-grade math teacher at Crestwood Elementary; Lavesha Sharp, a fifth grade English/language arts and social studies teacher at G.W. Carver Elementary; Wendy West, an interventionist at Parkview Elementary; Claire Hasselle, a fifth-grade science teacher at Poplar Springs Elementary; Rhonda Scott, a math teacher at West Hills Elementary; Tyrikia Porter, a science teacher at Magnolia Middle School; LaDonna Rowe, a social studies teacher at Northwest Middle School; Latonya May, a marketing management technology teacher at Ross Collins Career and Technical Center; and Stephanie Sellers, a middle school English/language arts teacher at Marion Park.

During the meeting, district officials also recognized the five school board members as a part of School Board Member Recognition Week in Mississippi. Honored were Sally Gray, outgoing president; Beverly Pennington, vice president; Ron Turner Sr.; Kimberly Houston; and Gwendolyn Hardaway.

MPSD Superintendent Amy Carter said recognition week is a time for the district to honor and thank the district’s school board members for their leadership, dedication and service to the school system.