MSMS mathematics teacher Lauren Zarandona was named 2026’s Mississippi Teacher of the Year by the Mississippi Department of Education at the Mississippi Administrator and Teacher of the Year Awards program in Jackson on April 17.
The prestigious honor also comes with supplementary awards including the ability to serve on the state Teacher of the Year Selection Committee, the opportunity to speak at various conferences, and a one-time $5,000 salary supplement.
With her award, Zarandona said she feels MSMS teachers finally are being recognized for their work.
“We’re not just good teachers because we have good students,” Zarandona said. “Perhaps we also have great students because we have great teachers.”
Zarandona said she considers her ability to be present in the classroom and for students to be what won her the award.
“I really try to show up in every way. In class, I try to be prepared with a plan, but I also try to listen. It’s exhausting, but that is what good teaching looks like in the end,” Zarandona said.
MSMS Executive Director Ginger Tedder said she found the achievement to be representative of the hard work being put in across the MSMS community.
“Her honor shines a spotlight on our students, our faculty, our staff, and our mission — showing clearly the work happening at MSMS stands among the very best in Mississippi. It is a moment of pride that inspires us all to continue leading, learning, and serving at the highest level,” Tedder said.
Senior Evan Burgoyne said he loves Zarandona’s teaching style, saying it was the best he’d seen.
“I had two classes with her — [Intro to]Trigonometry and [Intro to] Statistics — and she is the best teacher I’ve ever had, hands down. I don’t think anyone deserves it more than her,” Burgoyne said.
Junior Angelina Tan said the award was well deserved by Zarandona.
“She is one of the most dedicated and creative teachers I’ve ever had,” Tan said. “I think it was completely justified, and we all saw it coming.”
Senior Kagan Labauve said he wished he could have more classes with Zarandona.
“She only taught me [Intro to] Trigonometry, but I really loved the way that she taught. That’s why, as a math peer tutor, I asked for her as my instructor,” Labauve said.
