The State Women’s Leadership Committee’s Teacher of the Year for 2023 is Alan Leonard at West Point Career and Technical Center.

Leonard was surprised with the recognition at his school this month by Women’s Leadership Chair Betty Mills and committee member Joanie Word who represents Clay County on the Women’s Leadership Committee.

“In all honesty, I have never been a person who really applies for these things,” said Leonard.  “So I am totally shocked because I know a lot of people who probably deserve this more than that do.  So yes, I am completely shocked at this.”

Leonard is a Mississippi State graduate and earned his Master’s Degree from MUW. All he has known is teaching, currently in this nineteenth year. For the last nine years, Leonard has taught Diversified Agriculture Program at West Point Career and Technical Center for ninth through twelfth grade students. He is proud to be a voice of fact when it comes to promoting agriculture and farming to his students.

“It is amazing how many people do not understand literally where the food they are consuming is coming from, how it was produced, or the people that are doing the work that’s involved with it,” said Leonard.  “I consider myself as much as anything, just a communication piece of reality to the kids because it’s amazing how many people do not really have an understanding of the natural world.”

Leonard says he likes to bring a hands on approach for his students’ learning about agriculture. They work and learn in two green houses and with farm animals all on campus. West Point Career and Technical Center principal, Patrick Ray says, Leonard’s teaching style really give their students a realistic view of what farming is all about.

“It just gives them an appreciation for what it takes for people to grow and produce the things that we need and use and gives them an understanding of what kind of work goes into that,” said Ray.  “It gives them an opportunity to see that agriculture is a lot more than just growing plants and taking care of animals, and all that that industry involves that they could look into for occupations in the future.”

In the end, Leonard’s goal is to give his students a well-rounded agricultural education and develop with in them a great appreciation for the hard work it takes to grow the food, clothing and shelter we all need in our daily lives.

“The work that he’s putting in to help them understand, you know, where our food, where our, the things that we use every day, where they come from and just educating them on things that aren’t really commonplace anymore,” said Ray.