MSU alumna named Mississippi History Teacher of the Year, national top 10 finalist
Contact: Bethany Shipp
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Catherine McGowin, a three-time graduate of MSU-Meridian’s Division of Education, is the 2026 Mississippi History Teacher of the Year and a national top 10 finalist.
Given annually by the Gilder Lehrman Institute since 2004, the award honors excellence in teaching K-12 history. State winners are selected from thousands of nominations across the country and given $1,000 in addition to being entered into the national competition.
The Meridian native has taught history for five years at her alma mater, Southeast Lauderdale High School.
“It is an absolute honor to receive this award,” McGowin said. “I share this success with everybody I work with, my family and, of course, my students because they make coming to work so much fun every single day. My goal as a teacher is to make sure my students understand why history is important and relevant. They make me fall in love with history all over again each day by their curiosity and excitement.”
McGowin holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education as well as an educational specialist degree in education with a concentration in school administration. She said the MSU professors and program staff members went above and beyond to help prepare her for a career in education.
“It’s almost, in a sense, that we were overprepared, and I’m thankful for that because I came into the teaching profession with everything I needed,” McGowin said. “And that’s thanks to my professors, who I am still in very close contact with today.”
MSU College of Education Dean Teresa Jayroe said, “We are incredibly proud of Catherine and this well-deserved recognition. Her success reflects not only her dedication to her students but also the quality of our teacher preparation programs at MSU-Meridian. Our faculty are deeply committed to preparing educators who make a difference in their classrooms and communities. Catherine is a wonderful example of that commitment, and we are delighted to celebrate her accomplishments.”
MSU’s College of Education, home of MSU-Meridian’s Division of Education, also includes five academic departments, one research unit and numerous service units.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters.