From staff reports

Pam Murphy, media specialist at Long Cane Middle School, spends her days putting the spotlight on learning.

Her library is a lively place and she leads educational programs at the school to encourage reading, support classroom learning, advance technology. She finds time to guide the school’s newly-formed competition Robotics team.

But lately, the spotlight is on Murphy herself.

Murphy has been named Troup County Schools Media Specialist of the Year, recognizing of her progressive and innovative techniques as a media educator. Selected for the honor by her peers, Murphy will represent Troup County in the district Media Specialist of the Year competition in May. Winners there will advance to the state competition in October.

Back in the summer Murphy and Long Cane Middle received recognition as the state’s Exceptional Library Media Program. As one of only two middle schools in the state to receive the honor, Long Cane Middle’s media center is described by staff as the learning hub of the school.

In a recent open house to showcase the programs that earned the media center the state award, media specialists from across the state visited to learn more and congratulate Murphy and the school.

And last week, Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox paid a visit to Murphy, saying she was particularly impressed with the Robotics Team and other student learning programs capitalizing on the latest technology. One such program, Digiteen -Digital Citizenship Global Project, connected Long Cane Middle students with students from six other countries.