Amanda Duplessy’s exemplary career is evident in the way she tailors instruction and interventions to meet student needs, mentors fellow teachers, and is often the first to arrive and the last to leave each school day. Duplessy’s commitment is reflected in her students’ academic growth each year.
At the beginning of the school year, Duplessy assesses her students and identifies any gaps in comprehension, then adjusts her curriculum with research-based strategies and data personalized to students’ needs. She incorporates creative, high-quality instructional materials into her classroom, engaging students in immersive activities to build strong comprehension and critical thinking skills. Her “Unsolved Mysteries” unit has students dress up as detectives as they study their top-secret case file focused on reading nonfiction and performing research. Role-playing continues in her “Writing Boot Camp,” where students are “ordered” by Duplessy as “class drill sergeant” to complete a series of challenges that boost proficiency.
A leader herself, Duplessy extends her guidance and experience in growing and inspiring student leaders as co-founder of Oak Grove’s first-ever student council. She often attends student sporting events or dance recitals in her free time. Her support also encompasses her colleagues: Duplessy serves as a fifth grade ELA professional learning community (PLC) leader, mentors her peers, leads a professional development book study related to implementation strategies for the science of reading, supervises student teachers from the University of Southern Mississippi (Duplessy’s alma mater) assigned to Oak Grove for clinical practice, and oversees fifth grade’s positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS). She is also on the arts committee, and develops strong, meaningful relationships with parents and families.
Duplessy is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. She earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education K-6 in 2007 and a Master of Education in elementary education in 2012.
Press Release: Hattiesburg Teacher Surprised with $25,000 Milken Educator Award
