On Thursday, November 21, Mathews Auto Group (Honda and Nissan in Paris, TX) celebrated two extremely deserving teachers from Melissa ISD by honoring them through their "Pay it Forward" initiative.
Among the honorees was Debra Kennedy, an Algebra 1 teacher at Melissa High School. “Debra's selfless and passionate approach to her students and content is truly an inspiration. She consistently puts the needs of her students first in order to provide them every opportunity to be successful academically and socially. She pays it forward everyday so it is only fitting that she has been recognized as our MHS staff member Pay it Forward Awardee,” said Melissa High School Principal, Marcus Eckert.
Also honored was Jeremy Pryor, a fourth rade teacher at Sumeer Elementary. SES Principal, Nathan Lambert, expressed his gratitude for Pryor, stating, “Mr. Pryor’s unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in teaching 4th-grade math and science are not only an inspiration to his students but to the entire staff. His impact will resonate far beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting mark on everyone he encounters. We are deeply thankful for his hard work, his contagious work ethic, and his willingness to go the extra mile in every situation. Mr. Pryor truly embodies the Cardinal Way and our core values each and every day.”
The dealership owners, Tim and Julie Anderson, are a former Melissa Cardinal family and initiated the “Pay it Forward” program to recognize educators who go above and beyond for students and the school without expecting anything in return. Both Kennedy and Pryor were awarded $250 each through this initiative as a thank you for their service in education.
A big congratulations to these outstanding teachers! We truly appreciate everything you do for our Cardinals!