Dr. Lindsay Colyer of Brookhaven, a science teacher at Mississippi School of the Arts, was recently named the 2025 Mississippi Rural Teacher of the Year, representing Congressional District 3 and overall state. The news came during an award ceremony at William Carey University PREPS, a part-ner institution with the Rural Schools Collaborative.

As a dedicated teacher of 11th and 12th-grade science classes, including chemistry, botany, zoolo-gy, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Earth and Space Science, Colyer’s classroom is where “the learning happens,” said Director of School Advancement Jennifer Jackson.

Colyer’s passion for science was sparked in childhood, nurtured by her parents, and fueled by a deep fascination with whales. These early experiences shaped her love for scientific discovery and set her on a path toward teaching and mentorship. In her classroom, 

Colyer uses innovative, hands-on learning strategies — game-based learning, scavenger hunts, dis-cussions, and reflective journaling — that engage students and foster critical thinking. Her signature reflection journal prompts — like “Would you rather be a proton, neutron, or electron, and why?” — challenge students to dive deep into scientific concepts and explain their reasoning, making learning both fun and personally relevant.

When considering what she would share with someone considering a teaching career in rural Mis-sissippi, Dr. Colyer highlights the profound impact teachers can have.

“If you are passionate about your subject or field and you love mentoring, then chances are you will love teaching. My experience teaching at the college level showed me that many students were struggling with basic skills like writing, note-taking, planning, and overcoming testing anxie-ty,” she said. “That’s when I realized that students needed more support earlier in their education-al journey. Teaching in a rural community gives you the opportunity to be that support — to help students succeed before they even reach college.”