Guthrie Public Schools announced their District Teacher of the Year, on Monday’s Board of Education meeting. The recipient needed a few hours for the feeling to sink in.
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Following the announcement of the site teachers of the year, Superintendent Dr. Mike Simpson named Elementary Teacher of the Year Kara Walters as the school district’s teacher of the year.
“I can’t begin to tell you what my true feeling was because it was surreal. I heard Dr. Simpson say my name, but it didn’t sink in truly for several hours and maybe still not completely yet. I am humbled beyond measure,” Walters told Guthrie News Page Tuesday morning.
Walters, who is a special education teacher at Guthrie Upper Elementary School, is in her second stint with the school district after serving as the Executive Director for the American Red Cross and working with the Guthrie Community for Systems of Care.
Special education has been in Walters’ heart and knew this is was her dream since sitting in her eighth grade classes in Bixby.
“I was privileged to have an exceptional child class created for me and several of my peers with this interest when I was in high school. I also had the coolest opportunity to take six special needs students with five of my peers to my senior prom. It was such an awesome experience that I have treasured my whole life.”
“I am drawn to individuals with special needs because I believe every person has potential to accomplish incredible things, you just have to find their niche and what motivates them.”
Walters, who was nominated from her peers as the site teacher of the year, says she is surrounded by tremendous teachers inside the GUES hallways, which has allowed her to be the best that she can be.
“I truly believe that the incredible staff and teachers I work with on a daily basis enable me to be the best teacher I can possibly be. They support me with everything I ask for them to help provide the most stellar education to my students. For this I am beyond grateful.”
“To be able to be chosen by the District to represent our school district is so amazing.”
Supt. Simpson and his Executive Assistant Jana Frey collected donations from local merchants to honor not only Walters, but Secondary Teacher of the Year Lori Lucas, who serves as an English teacher at the high school, and all site teachers of the year.
Lucas collected a plant, earrings, lunch, pottery and a tank a gas a week for one month during the summer.
Walters took home gift baskets, gift certificates, picture frame, flowers, hand-made Bluejay quilt, pottery, Dr. Pepper neon sign, a bracelet, $100 check, $100 cash, personal use of a vehicle for May, June, July and August.
“We want to highlight the efforts of education in our community. I personally want to thank all the business community for making that happen,” Simpson said on all the donations made.
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