Blevins named MPS Teacher of the Year
Feb. 19—Kelly Blevins said with tears in his eyes that he prays he can be an influence on somebody else just like how he was influenced by others in his life after he was named the 2024 McAlester Public Schools Teacher of the Year.
The Randy Hughes Middle School math teacher was encouraged by cheers from his coworkers every time he paused to wipe tears from his eyes during his speech thanking family, friends, and coworkers during the ceremony held Monday in the Lucy Smith Center at McAlester High School.
"I swear this never happened before," a tearful Blevins said with a chuckle.
The three-time teacher of the year candidate said he would not be who he was today without getting a second chance at life after dropping out of college during his first semester of college after high school.
"I got a second chance," Blevins said. "God said, 'Hey man, get it together' and he blessed me with a woman. She's been there supporting me and pushing me, making sure I got up to those eight o'clock classes."
The 11th year teacher said the reason he was here today was because of the influence somebody had on his life and God's blessings.
"People that influence us are the reason why we're here and we hope we can pass that on to the next generation," Blevins said. "I just pray that I'll be that for somebody else."
MPS Teacher of the Year finalists included Blevins, Robin Wilson, Kelsey Jackson, Sarah Duff, and Bryn Greer.
Wilson is a behavioral specialist teacher for the Elementary Behavior Program at Will Rogers Elementary.
Jackson has been a teacher for nine years and is a first-grade teacher at Will Rogers Elementary.
Duff has taught at MPS for 12 years and currently teaches third grade math and science at Puterbaugh Upper Elementary.
Greer is in her 21st year of teaching at MPS and is a fourth-grade teacher at Puterbaugh Upper Elementary.
MPS Superintendent Dr. Robert Steeber opened the ceremony by saying service is what comes to mind when he thinks about the profession of teaching.
"We serve our children. We serve our community. We bring the kids to opportunities and open doors and provide levels of ability and understanding and opportunities that I do not believe comes all the time," Steeber said. "We are a proud herd of buffalo. We service our kids and we have so many positive things going on."
Delilah Rodriguez, executive director of Curriculum and Instruction for MPS, said the five finalists were a reflection of excellence that exists within the entire district.
"They stand as a testament to the commitment that each of you brings to your classrooms, to your buses, to your hallways, to the cafeteria. Wherever you support our students," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez thanked each teacher for their contribution to the educational community.
"You are the unsung heroes. The mentors and the champions of knowledge, compassion, and resilience," Rodriguez said. "So, to all the teachers in this room, I say thank you."
