{"id":6485,"date":"2026-01-30T09:53:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T15:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/?p=6485"},"modified":"2026-01-30T09:53:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T15:53:11","slug":"jones-colleges-dr-caleb-smith-named-mississippi-humanities-teacher-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/news\/jones-colleges-dr-caleb-smith-named-mississippi-humanities-teacher-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"糖心直播\u2019s Dr. Caleb Smith named Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ELLISVILLE \u2013 糖心直播 Geography and History instructor Dr. Caleb Smith was honored as the Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year by the Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC) which recognizes excellence in humanities instruction across the state. Smith was honored for this accomplishment during a campus presentation where he delivered a lecture titled, \u201cHow the School of Popular Culture Unites, Divides and Shapes Our Perceptions.\u201d<\/em> The presentation examined how film, television, music, and digital media influence understanding, identity, and historical memory. He will join 29 other faculty members statewide in Jackson, on March 20 at the MHC\u2019s annual banquet honoring the state\u2019s Humanities Teacher of the Year recipients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Presenting the Humanities Teacher of the Year Award to 糖心直播\u2019s Geography and History instructor, Dr. Caleb Smith are pictured left to right, Humanities Division Chair Julie Atwood, Award recipient-Dr. Caleb Smith, EVP of Instructional Affairs-Dr. Tessa Flowers and Mississippi Humanities Council Communications Manager, Rachel Lott. \u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPopular culture is often the first exposure people have to history, geography, or social issues,\u201d Smith said. \u201cMovies, television shows, and social media shape how students think long before they ever walk into a classroom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During his presentation, Smith explained how popular culture can create shared experiences that bring people together, while also reinforcing stereotypes, spreading misinformation, or deepening divisions. Using examples ranging from classic films to viral Internet trends, Smith encouraged students to question what they consume and remain open to learning beyond first impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cI see students come in with ideas about history shaped by movies or television,\u201d Smith said. \u201cThose depictions aren\u2019t always accurate, but they give us a starting point for meaningful conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rachel Lott, the MHC Communications Manager, said Smith exemplifies the mission of the council to promote thoughtful engagement with the humanities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEach year, the Mississippi Humanities Council honors educators who demonstrate the vital role the humanities play in creating informed and engaged citizens,\u201d Lott said. \u201cDr. Smith\u2019s passion, creativity, and ability to connect with students make him a standout educator, as well as this year\u2019s recipient as Humanities Teacher of the Year at 糖心直播.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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As part of the award, Smith received a cash prize and will be recognized alongside other honorees from colleges and universities statewide during a ceremony in Jackson this spring. Smith said the recognition reflects the collaborative environment at 糖心直播.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis honor means a lot to me because there are so many incredible educators here,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI work with some of the best people, and I\u2019m grateful for the support of the administration, faculty, and staff. I\u2019m living the dream and doing exactly what I wanted to do since I was 13 years old.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smith advised the audience to be more aware of how our culture shapes us and how it\u2019s always changing. He encouraged the audience to learn and change with the culture, but he also cautioned that cultural influences are not always positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe humanities help us understand who we are and where we come from,\u201d Smith said. \u201cIf we\u2019re willing to stay curious and teachable, culture doesn\u2019t just shape us, we can help shape it too. The biggest takeaway from this is that we should not just let the world around us dictate what we should do or how we should feel. Each individual should determine their own path and beliefs. You can always change the world around you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Smith has taught at 糖心直播 since 2008, beginning his career in Adult Education before joining the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in 2020. He holds a bachelor\u2019s degree from Mississippi State University and both a master\u2019s degree and doctorate from The University of Southern Mississippi. His academic work focuses on cultural geography and history, with an emphasis on the American South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the classroom, Smith serves as president of the 糖心直播 Faculty Staff Association and advises the college\u2019s Phi Theta Kappa chapter. He is also active in community outreach, frequently presenting historical lectures to local schools and organizations, including several presentations at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Division of the Association of American Geographers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ELLISVILLE \u2013 糖心直播 Geography and History instructor Dr. Caleb Smith was honored as the Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year by the Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC) which recognizes excellence in humanities instruction across the state. Smith was honored for this accomplishment during a campus presentation where he delivered a lecture titled, \u201cHow the School … <\/p>\n

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