Altus Public Schools Names Teacher of the Year
Elizabeth McGurk of Altus Early Childhood Center was selected as the 2025 Altus Public Schools Teacher of the Year.
Each December schools across the Altus Public School District select a site Teacher of the Year. Nominees are submitted and certified staff in each building vote for one teacher to represent their school in the district-wide Teacher of the Year contest. A committee reviews the winners’ resumes and essays, and three teachers are chosen as Top Three Candidates. Certified staff throughout the District are encouraged to vote for the Teach of the Year.
Altus Early Childhood Center selected Elizabeth McGurk as their Teacher of the Year. Mrs. McGurShe was also a Top Three Candidate. Beth earned her degree in elementary education from Clarion University. She has 28 years of teaching experience. As a military spouse, Mrs. McGurck has taught all across the United States, however, she has been in Altus Public Schools for the past 15 years. When asked what being a teacher means to you, she replied, “ Being, a teacher is a constant question…..Did I do enough, What else can I do, How can I do it better? Teaching means that for 9 months of the year, you focus your love, attention, and energy and split it 20 different ways.”
Michelle Green was selected as the Altus Primary School 2025 Teacher of the Year and a Top Three Candidate. Ms. Green teaches 2nd grade Special Education. Ms. Green holds a Master’s of Special Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Before joining Altus Public Schools in 2017, she taught at Duke Public Schools for 15 years. Ms. Green says of teaching, “ It’s about embracing the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students with diverse abilities and needs. It’s about creating an inclusive, supportive environment where each child feels valued, loved, and capable of success.”
Altus Intermediate School’s 2025 Teacher of the Year and Top Three Candidate is Teddie Mitchell. Mrs. Mitchell currently serves students as a special education teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s of Education and three master’s degrees from Cameron University. Mrs. Mitchell began her teaching career in 2011 at Will Rogers Elementary. She is a member of the Professional Oklahoma Educators and Council for Exceptional Children. “Over the years I have learned that showing up for the students is the thing that matters most,” Mrs. Mitchell stated.
Kimberly Compton is the Title I Reading teacher at Altus Elementary School and the 2025 AES Teacher of the Year. Ms. Compton holds both a bachelor's degree and a master’s degree in education. She has 15 years of teaching experience; five of those being in Altus Public Schools. She previously taught high school English, junior high English, and 3rd grade. She says of teaching, “Being a teacher is not just a job to me, it’s a lifestyle. It means creating a safe and welcoming environment where students can feel safe for at least part of their day.”
Rivers Elementary selected 4th-grade teacher Casandra Morris as their 2025 Teach of the Year. Mrs. Morris has 18 years of teaching experience at Rivers Elementary. Cassandra earned her bachelor’s degree from Cameron University. She is a member of River PTO and Altus FFA Boosters. When asked what being a teacher means to you, she replied, “Being a teacher to me means going on adventures and making discoveries. I love to explore with the kids. Letting them know I am learning alongside them allows them to open up and share their thoughts.”
Carrie Prough is the Altus Junior High’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Prough has 34 years of teaching experience; 30 of those years are at Altus Public Schools. She is a 1988 graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. In addition to teaching, Carrie belongs to the Board of Herford Women and Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Mrs. Prough stated, “I teach for their future. I teach to make a difference. I teach for them to accomplish their goals.”
Altus High School’s 2025 Teacher of the Year is April Adler. Ms. Adler teaches Chemistry and Earth Sciences. This is her 11th year at Altus High School and 26th year in education. April holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Cameron University. She is a lifetime member of AARC and has completed 37 half marathons and 5 full marathons. Ms. Adler says, “ I strive every day to make my students feel valued, loved, and capable of tackling whatever challenges come their way.”
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