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CHS teacher is Clinton’s 2019-20 Teacher of the Year

Clinton High School teacher Mina Darnell actively encourages her students to engage in their lessons and ask questions.

“Some of my best teaching moments came from students asking questions, and no question is a bad question,” she said. “Student questions provide a great opportunity for me to understand where the student is confused. Questions also promote classroom discussion.”

Her ability to encourage students and keep them engaged has not gone unnoticed; on Thursday, Darnell was named the Clinton Public School District’s 2019-20 Teacher of the Year. She received the award in a surprise presentation at CHS.

“Never a dull moment, that’s how I would describe Mrs. Darnell’s honors level Algebra III and Humanities classes,” said CHS Principal Brett Robinson. “From the moment students enter her room, she is pushing them to be successful. Whether working independently or collaboratively, I can always count on seeing the teacher and students busy at work no matter the day or time.”

Darnell has taught at Clinton High School since 1989, with courses including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Honors Trigonometry, ACT prep, Humanities (ACT/PSAT prep), Honors Pre-Calculus, and Honors Algebra III. She has served as the CHS math department chair since 2012.

In addition to her teaching duties, Darnell has also coached several athletic teams including girls basketball, fastpitch softball, and slow pitch softball.

She holds an associate degree from Hinds Community College and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Mississippi College.

As CPSD’s Teacher of the Year, she will go on to represent Clinton in the Mississippi Teacher of the Year program this spring hosted by the Mississippi Department of Education.

CHS teacher Mina Darnell is the Clinton Public School District’s 2019-20 Teacher of the Year. Presenting her award are (from left) Assistant Superintendent Anthony Goins, Superintendent Dr. Tim Martin and CHS Principal Brett Robinson.

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