Mississippi Code Title 37. Education § 37-151-11

The State Board of Education shall establish and design an annual program of awards for exemplary performing teachers in Mississippi's public school districts, to be called the “Mississippi Teacher of the Year” Award Program.

The board shall establish criteria and guidelines for making the annual award to one (1) exemplary performing teacher in Mississippi, which shall include a cash award of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to be paid by the State Department of Education pursuant to appropriation therefor and shall be unrestricted as to its use by the recipient. Such award shall be paid as a supplement to such teacher's contracted salary in the year subsequent to receiving the recognition.

The State Board of Education shall utilize such awards to bring the best teaching practices to the attention of other schools. The awards shall include public recognition by the local school board and the State Board of Education and the awarding of plaques, certificates and the monetary award for teachers that perform well.