Checotah Public School recently chose their Teachers of the Year at each of their schools.

Marshall Elementary chose Mrs. Catherine Ross, a Speech-Language Pathologist, and Checotah Intermediate School (CIS) chose Ms. Jyme Beth Powell, a 5th grade Math teacher.

While Checotah Middle School (CMS) chose Mrs. Pam Mitchell, an 8th grade Pre-Algebra teacher and Checotah High School (CHS) chose Mikylee Burris, a 8th-12 th grade Family and Consumer Science teacher.

Marshall Teacher of the Year Catherine Ross

Mrs. Catherine Ross is a Speech-Language Pathologist at Marshall Elementary, who has been working for Checotah Public Schools for the past three years and has 12 years of teaching experience.

Ross graduated from Canyon High School in Texas in 2005 and went on to obtain her Bachelors and Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from Harding University in Searcy, AR.

“As a Speech-Language Pathologist I have worked in hospitals, nursing homes, home health, private clinics and as a contracted SLP for the schools,” Ross said. “My college coach’s wife influenced me to become a Speech-Language Pathologist, but my children influenced me to want to work directly for the school. I am also part of the Mental Health Intervention Team team at Marshall, which is part of the AWARE grant program the district has in place, and we collaborate on how to best meet the needs of our students and teachers. Through these programs I absolutely love seeing the growth of each student and I am able to help many more children this way than I could in an outpatient setting.”

In her free time, Ross enjoys watching all athletic events, gardening and repurposing things.

Mrs. Ross is married to Zac Ross and they have two children, seven-year-old Mackley Ross who is in 2nd grade and four-year-old Alena Ross who is in Head Start.

CIS Teacher of the Year – Jyme Beth Powell

Jyme Beth Powell is a 5th grade Math teacher at Checotah Intermediate, who has taught for nine years in her current position and has 22 years of teaching kindergarten through 6th grade in Oklahoma and in Texas.

Powell graduated in 1981 from Haileyville High School and earned her degree at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX.

“Two teachers that influenced me to become a teacher were my 1st and 2nd grade teachers, Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Greenhaw,” Powell said. “I love to teach because I love to see each student learn and gain self-esteem.”

In her spare time, Powell trains, competes and produces barrel racing events and has served as secretary of the Checotah Round Up Club for the past seven years.

She is married to her husband John Kloeckler and has two sons, Ty Cochrane, and J.W. Hammonds with his wife, Lindsey. Powell also has two grandchildren, Kollyns and Sloan Hammonds.

CMS Teacher of the Year – Pam Mitchell

Pam Mitchell is a 8th grade Pre-Algebra teacher at Checotah Middle School, who has spent 27 years teaching her fellow Wildcats.

Mitchell is a 1980 Checotah High School graduate, who went on to obtain her Associates in Science at Connors State and finished with her Bachelors in Science at Northeastern State University.

“I give credit to Mr. Adamek at Connors State College for influencing me to become a teacher,” Mitchell said. “My personal belief and philosophy is that every child in your classroom deserves the same high expectations. They can all rise to the occasion. Rules, requirements, grades, mastery of skills and more, all require rigor and consistency in a classroom setting. My students know my expectations and know I will always treat them fairly, respectfully and logically. I want them to be dependable.”

Mitchell is involved in several committees and organizations to include:

• Gear-Up Grant Leadership Team

• Calendar Committee

• Math Department Textbook Committee

• Math PLC member

• Mentor teacher for first-year teachers

• TOY Building Committee

• Safe School Committee • Wengage School Leader Mitchell’s hobbies include all kinds of crafting, like cross stitch, quilting, woodwork, ornament-making and more. She also loves warm weather and traveling with her family that consist of her husband, Mike Mitchell; sons (and families), Michael and Marissa Mitchell with children, Lucas, Lydia and Lynon; Aaron and Valerie Mitchell with children, Isla,ELsie and Joe; and her daughter Andrea Mitchell and child Brooklyn McHenry.

CHS Teacher of the Year – Mikylee Burris

Mikylee Burris is the 8th-12th grade Family and Consumer Science teacher at Checotah High School. She formerly taught at Oklahoma City Public Schools for six years and now has been at Checotah for two years.

Burris is a 2007 high school graduate from Prague High School. She received her Associates of Fine Arts from Rose State College and her Bachelors of Fine Arts from East Central University. She is currently working on her Masters of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma and plans to graduate this summer.

“My high school Art teacher, Mr. Owens influenced me to become a teacher,” Burris said. “I love getting to see the light bulbs come on students’ eyes when they finally understand what you are trying to show them. When they learn that they can do anything they put their mind to, it is the best part of my job!”

Burris enjoys teaching her own kids, as well as her students, how to cook and sew. As part of the Mental Health Intervention Team, Burris helps her students provide the food for their Veterans Day Breakfast and their Halloween Bash each year. The students also make a small lap quilt and have a drawing for one lucky veteran.

“Besides sewing, I also like to draw and paint when I get the chance. Currently though, my husband and I are working on our second remodel. Hopefully, we will be finished soon so we can finally move to Checotah because I am now a winter guard, band and cheer mom.”

Mrs. Burris has been married for 12 years to her husband, John Burris. They have three daughters and one son, who all attend Checotah schools. Pyper Burris is 11 years old and in the 5th grade, while 8-year-old Xaylee Burris is in the 3rd grade. Five-year-old Paxton Burris is in Pre-K and their 6-year-old brother, Finnlee Burris is in kindergarten.

Congratulations to all the Teachers of the Year.