Anne Steel's commitment to the development of her students at Oxford Middle School in Mississippi fairly leaps off the pages of her letters of support. From the classroom to the exercise trail to serving others through outreach, Magistra Steel encourages her students to adopt a full and active life. And not in word only: Magistra Steel's CV betrays a long history of professional service to her school and her state. Not content to be thought an excellent teacher and to have to her credit a long list of student accomplishments on National Exams, Anne Steel is committed to her own professional development. A colleague writes, "Mrs. Steel's commitment to being a life-long learner is evidenced by her continued scholastic success. Her academic career includes coursework in psychology, special education, social science, early-childhood education, educational leadership, and Latin. Her professional career includes service in all of these areas as well. While I was principal at Oxford Middle School, Mrs. Steel served as a valuable member of our leadership team. Her experience and attitude were always a welcome addition to any conversation." It is clear that Magistra has had a profound impact on her young students at a very important (and difficult) time in their lives. One comments that she seems like his Chiron, a mentor, friend, and educator who has a lifetime (actually, as he puts it, twice his own lifetime's worth) of teaching. Another student, now doing graduate work in Conflict Analysis & Conflict Resolution says, "My personal successes over the years and our 13 -year- old friendship across the miles can attest to her excellence in teaching that has left lasting impressions on my life."
For her excellences, personal and professional, and for serving as a reminder to us, her colleagues, of what the true measure of an excellent teacher is, the Committee is pleased to name Anne Steel the recipient of the 2013-2014 Kraft Award for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching.