Superintendent Chris Chism wins Peck Research Award

Superintendent Chris Chism of the Pearl Public School District received a special award Feb. 27 during this year’s PREPS Conference at William Carey University – the Hugh I. Peck Research Award.

PREPS stands for Program for Research and Evaluation for Public Schools. It is a statewide organization that supports Mississippi school districts with resources to enhance student success.

Chism was keynote speaker at the 2026 PREPS Conference.

“Mr. Chism has done extensive research into artificial intelligence. He talked to our guests, from school districts all over the state, about how classroom instruction might evolve using AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini,” said Dr. Chuck Benigno, PREPS executive director.

“He is very deserving of the Hugh I. Peck Research Award. It’s given to someone who has made significant contributions to educational research, development, or innovation to improve Mississippi’s K-12 schools.”

The conference also included the announcement of the 2026 Rural Teacher of the Year, Melanie Davis-Hardy of Yazoo County School District and three other finalists – Carrie Guntharp of Itawamba County, Gloria Rodgers McDuffy of the Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind, and Devon Sellers of Jones County.

Finally, more than 1,000 educators from around the state will attend a virtual component of the PREPS Conference and 40 K-12 school administrators graduated from the PREPS CEO Leadership Academy.

Superintendent Chris Chism of the Pearl School District, holding Hugh I. Peck Research Award, is congratulated by PREPS board members, from left, Dr. Alee Dixon, Dr. Carla Evers, and Dr. Sam Allison.