Page 7 - Alcorn - The University Magazine: Spring, 2017

For the Love
In May 1996, Sheriff emptied his Vicksburg High School classroom of nearly 400 books. Then a 12th grade English teacher, Sheriff had been in that room for six years, one chapter of a teaching career that spanned three decades.
31 years of teaching.
74 years of life.
And that one number stands out in Walter Sheriff’s mind: 4,735.
anything else they’ve asked him to help with. Sheriff helps high school and college students with homework, but most importantly, he’s always an encouraging voice, helping students understand how to accomplish their academic and professional goals.
“He’s a man on a mission,” said Galtney, a 59-year-old and one of Sheriff’s former students. “He helps anybody and everybody who wants to be helped.”
of Teaching
There’s only one Sheriff in town
Some opt for a life of complete leisure
after retirement. Sheriff isn’t among
them. He may have left the classroom
20 years ago, but this proud Alcornite
continues his dedication to his
community and its young people. At 74, Sheriff remains just as much of a community staple as he did while teaching.
Sheriff’s community dedication recently earned him the honor of being named the Vicksburg Retired Educator Personnel of the Year.
Sheriff encourages students to go to college. Admittedly, he’s partial to Alcorn, but he understands students need to make their own choices, so he engages their critical thinking skills. Rather than simply picking a school, he tells students to review course requirements and evaluate whether their intended university or college is likely to help them accomplish their professional goals.
Flaggs, now 63, was one of Sheriff’s students when he taught at Jefferson Junior High. “He was a model teacher,” Flaggs said. “He cared about his students, and he taught with passion. He was a very disciplined teacher. He expected you to get your lesson and get it on time.”
By the time Galtney met Sheriff, he had moved on to Vicksburg High School. He had a reputation. “He was a very strict teacher,” she recalled of Sheriff who was her 11th-grade English teacher. “You knew you had to do what you had to do to pass his class.”
“He’s a model citizen,” Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs said. “He’s a highly respected person in the community. He’s very straightforward. You always know where he stands on any issue whether it’s political or social.”
He’s active with the NAACP, helping attract new members and students get college scholarships. He works with the Vicksburg branch of the Alcorn State Alumni Chapter, welcoming new graduates, recruiting the next generation of Braves and helping students get scholarships.
“Every community should have at least one Mr. Sheriff,” Flaggs said.
Mary Galtney, coordinator at the Jackson Street Community Center, witnesses Sheriff’s community commitment firsthand. She’s watched him help students prepare for the GED and complete financial aid forms, college applications, ACT applications and
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PURPLE & GOLD