Leah Ann Peavey relishes being a role model for young women considering studies and careers in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) discipline. A 1984 graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) polymer science program, Peavey remains passionate about her field more than 40 years later.
A National Board-Certified Teacher and instructor at Brookhaven (Miss.) Technical Center (BTC), Peavey also spent more than a decade working in the industry. Earlier this year, she was recognized for her passion, dedication and impact in the classroom when the White House named her–along with other outstanding educators across the country–as one of the recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the top honors bestowed by the U.S. Government to K-12 STEM teachers.
Peavey was named a state finalist for the 2023 PAEMST in science in the spring of 2023. After a state selection committee chose three finalists in both mathematics and science, the National Science Foundation (NSF) reviewed their applications. The NSF then recommended one mathematics and one science winner from each state to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Peavey was officially notified of her national award by email from the NSF in January.
“To receive recognition of this magnitude is truly amazing and humbling,” Peavey said. “I was so fortunate to have fabulous educators and administrators along the way who encouraged me to reach for the stars, and students who challenged me to be better every day in order to meet their educational needs.”
A native of Vicksburg, Miss., Peavey grew up in Natchez, Miss. and attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College where she played basketball, with plans to later pursue a degree in chemical engineering. Her plans changed, however, after learning about Southern Miss’s polymer science program.
“One day, we had a guest speaker from USM’s Polymer Science program in my organic chemistry class,” Peavey recounted. “I was intrigued and pursued scholarships from USM and the program to attend. I knew from the time I took my first chemistry course in high school that I would pursue a career in that field. I simply loved it.”
That love carried on through classes with Dr. Phyllis Hayes Lanier at Co-Lin, whom she considers her educator role model, and in her coursework at Southern Miss. Her faculty mentors in the then Department of Polymer Science (now School of Polymer Science and Engineering) included Dr. Charles McCormick, her senior research project leader in the research areas of controlled release pesticides, and the founder of the program, former Southern Miss President Dr. Shelby Thames.
In her final year at Southern Miss, Peavey was named Outstanding Senior in the program and graduated with high honors.
“Dr. Thames mentored me academically through the program, and our close relationship continued through my years in industry and education,” Peavey said. “I consider him a special friend and valuable colleague, whom I’ve always counted on for assistance, advice and encouragement to push myself toward excellence in every aspect of life.”
Peavey said her college experience at Southern Miss “was a bit unique, as I was already married and with a young child, living in married student housing.”
“My husband was a student coach for [former Southern Miss Head Football Coach] Jim Carmody, so my days were focused on family, studies and football,” she said.
A desire to influence future generations led Peavey toward a career as an educator, though “a little practicality” figured into the decision.
“We were moving to north Louisiana for a college coaching job opportunity for my husband, and the job prospects at that time were weak,” said Peavey. “I did a little research and found out Louisiana would allow me to teach and pay for me to get my certification at the same time. So, I started teaching chemistry at West Monroe High School.”
Now in her 30th year as an educator—23 of those in Mississippi—Peavey has spent the past decade teaching 9th– through 11th-grade Polymer Science I & II at the Brookhaven School District’s Technical Center. Before joining BTC to launch its polymer science program, she primarily taught chemistry and AP chemistry at Brookhaven, Petal and North Pike high schools.
She’s also grateful for her decade-plus time working in research and development in the private sector, which she said, “afforded me opportunities to develop numerous professional skills and lifelong friendships.”
Peavey’s work advocating for more women and other underrepresented groups in science and math careers include organizing summer STEM camps for 5th– through 8th-graders and participating in a local Women in STEM forum. Peavey also helps her students lead a STEM Discovery Day each winter for 5th-and 6th-grade gifted students.
“I plan to continue inspiring young STEM enthusiasts and mentoring STEM teachers until I retire–and possibly beyond,” she said.
Southern Miss College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Chris Winstead congratulated Peavey on her recognition and expressed gratitude for her work as an educator.
“It is always inspiring to hear about the successes of our alumni,” said Winstead. “However, this award for Leah Ann is especially meaningful because of the impact she has had on so many young people in our state. Her outstanding teaching efforts have no doubt led many to careers in science and engineering.”