2010

WEEK OF 9LV>-<..- (1., ;;2.0 /Q

1urphy winding up career

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Colle_e in Decatur. tune \\lth my family," said Mur– phy. ··1nm also saddened by the thoug}'J of leaving the staff and students at the Phtladelphia/Neshoba County Career-Technical Center. The friends thnt I have made over the years mean the most to me." Muzph) admitted to ha\ing "'mixed emotions" as he pre– p:res frr his upcoming rettre– m=J CJ:l Jun: 30, following 3· ) sen meducaaon. "1 am lookini fonoar:! to rm~ and spending -===-----~.:..:::::=::::::==;;;.._ as educator at 'o-tech center

expressed concerns about the current state of affairs. "1 feel that we have some great educators in our school· systems," he swd, "but 1nm con– cerned that the threats of cutting budgets and salwies in the stntl" See MURPHY, page 12A

urphy Continued from page 1A may cause MlSSi •-ipp1 to la5e some of the state' greatest as ets, our teachers" In addition to challenges m education brought on by budget cuts, Murphy aid the other "main" challenge he ha.' faced concerns the nd\ ancem(;n 10 technology, which ha~ also caused "mixed'' teeling~ for the longtime educator. "1 feel that technology is good. hut J also feel that in some areas, the system should go back to the basics." he said. Murphy. who was encour– aged by family members to enter the field of education. offers a simple solution on how to effec– ll\el} reach ~tudents: "Be firm but fair, and show them that you are mterested in their ucces~." Hi-. ''motto" has obviously been a succes~. as evidenced by the hundreJ.~ of career-tech stu– dents from area high schools v.:ho completed programs offered at the center and suc– cessfully entered the workforce. Program~ indude allied health, auto mechanics, buHding trades, business and computer technology, design and mer– chandising, metal trades and related studies. "1 am very proud ofour sue-

PhOto by Steven Thoma~ Robert Murphy of Philadelphia, who has served the past 16 years as director of the Philadelphia/Nesboba County Career-Technical Center, is retiring June 30

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tion from Mbsi:.sippi State Urn versity and a ma-;ter's degree in secondary admmistration and supervisiOn from Delta State University. 1l.e was married to the former Joan Pope of Kosciusko, now deceased. Their dau!!htcr, Alicia Murphy, IS currently emoUcd in nursing school.

cess and especially proud of the outstanding instructors that we have been blessed to have at the Pbiladelphia/Neshoba County Career-Technical Center/' said Murphy. A graduate of Ethel High School and Holmes Junior Col– lege, Murphy received a bache– lot's degree in industrial educa-