Women of Distinction Magazine Selects Effie Stidham as a Distinguished Professional in Her Field

    HAZARD, KY, November 14, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Effie Stidham, High School Teacher at Hazard High School, has been recognized as a Distinguished Professional in her field through Women of Distinction Magazine. Effie Stidham will be featured in the upcoming edition of the Women of Distinction Magazine in 2015/2016.

A former Attorney who practiced law in Eastern Kentucky for 24 years, Effie Stidham entered into the Master's in the Art of Teaching (MAT) program at Morehead State University while simultaneously beginning her new career teaching in a public school setting. Graduating with a 4.0 in 2013, she currently teaches English I, II, and III, History, Dual Credit State and Local Politics, Intro to Criminal Justice, and American Government at Hazard High School in Hazard, Kentucky.

Working in a small, 1A school in Eastern Kentucky, Ms. Stidham's school currently has 19 teachers. She has coached girls' varsity soccer and Speech and Debate. She also scores written assessments for the Academic Team, hosts a Halloween lock-in for her English classes, works with prom and after-prom, tutors students in both English and US History, and serves as a Next Generation Teacher representing her district.

"Practicing law for 24 years certainly prepared me to think on my feet, a skill required in the classroom, and it has also taught me to think before I speak, be respectful to everyone, the value of preparation, the value of proper decorum, and so much more," Ms. Stidham said.
Greatly inspired by her mother, who taught at a one-room school prior to having children, Ms. Stidham's mother taught her, through example, that the most rewarding life is one spent being kind to all and giving to others.

Beginning her career as a civil defense attorney with Gullet, Combs, Holiday, and James, Ms. Stidham then worked for Barret, Haynes, May, Carter, and Roark, a larger civil defense firm. She also worked three years as an Assistant County Attorney in Perry County Kentucky prosecuting misdemeanor cases, DUIs, and working in juvenile court. The last 11 years of her legal career were spent as a civil plaintiff's attorney working for The Law Offices of Gary C. Johnson before owning her own solo practice.

Ms. Stidham is a member of Kentucky Association of School Administrators, International Readers Association, National Education Association, Kentucky Educators Association, and Hazard High School's Social Studies and English Language Arts Professional Learning Community. Since entering the education field, she has earned a 2013 VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year in High School for the state of Kentucky, a 2014 Next Generation Teacher Leader for Hazard High School, and is a 2014 Grant Recipient.

About Women of Distinction Magazine:

Women of Distinction Magazine strives to continually bring the very best out in each article published and highlight Women of Distinction. Women of Distinction Magazine's mission is to have a platform where women can grow, inspire, empower, educate and encourage professionals from any industry by sharing stories of courage and success.

Contact:
Women of Distinction Magazine, Melville, NY 631-465-9024 [email protected]

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