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Calculate her passion for teaching math, her tough love for students when it’s needed and her hard work year-round, and it’s clear why Teresa Floyd ranks among Mississippi College’s finest educators.
In fact, Mississippi College leaders at Saturday’s commencement saluted the Clinton resident as the Christian university’s distinguished professor of the year recipient for 2015-16.
It’s just the latest award for a stellar faculty member who makes complicated math questions understandable for MC students. Whether teaching calculus, elementary statistics, Geometry or other math-related subjects, Floyd always brings her “A game” to the table on the Clinton campus.
In addition, Floyd “goes the extra mile when students are struggling,” Vice President for Academic Affairs Ron Howard noted as he made the announcement during ceremonies at the A.E. Wood Coliseum.
A Corinth native, Floyd joined the Mississippi College mathematics faculty in 1983 after a dozen years teaching the subject in public and private schools. The Alcorn Central High graduate earned her bachelor’s degree at Mississippi State University. Floyd received a master’s in education at Mississippi College and her doctorate at the University of Missouri.
For more than three decades, Dr. Floyd stayed active working with high school students coming to Mississippi College for the statewide Math & Science Tournament. The intense academic competition opens the door for students to earn scholarships of $2,000 per-year to attend MC. Some of the winning high school students later enrolled as undergraduates in Floyd’s math classes.
Floyd trained some of the best and brightest since the early 1980s. A number of her former MC students launched careers serving as math teachers.
Her excellence in the classroom only tells part of the story. Floyd remains a strong supporter of MC Lady Choctaws basketball players from one season to the next. At the A.E. Wood Coliseum, Teresa arrives early and usually sits on the front row near Mike Jones Court as she offers words of encouragement to players battling on the hardwood.
While Teresa is retiring from her teaching career this spring, Lady Choctaws basketball players can expect to see Floyd cheering for the home team at the Golden Dome for years to come.
Just being nominated to be the teacher of the year from the MC School of Science and Mathematics was quite a thrill. But getting singled out as the university’s distinguished professor made Saturday’s Spring 2016 commencement “great,” she said. She feels truly honored to receive the prestigious award and added her thanks to all involved.
Besides showing her vocal fan support at the Choctaws basketball arena, Teresa found other fun things to do away from the academic world. The Mississippian simply loves riding on her Harley Davidson motorcycle. Also, Teresa and her husband, Pat, are always geared up to spend quality time with their grandchildren.
Each year since 1978, Mississippi College leaders recognized a faculty member with its distinguished professor of the year award. As part of the honor, Floyd will serve as keynote speaker at the university’s December 2016 commencement.
Photo: MC mathematics professor Teresa Floyd was honored at the university’s May 7 Spring commencement.
