Brown named MPS Teacher of the Year; McCauley honored as Support Person of the Year

James Brown was “shocked” to hear the news Friday at the year-end faculty appreciation breakfast for Marlow Public Schools.

Brown, who has been with the district for 20 years, is the coach for the boys’ varsity golf, and jr. high football programs, and teaches American History at Marlow High School. He was honored that his peers had chosen him to be included in the Teacher of the Year nominees, along with Heather Holding and Lisa Anderson.

“I was shocked. Both of the ladies that I was up against are really good teachers,” Brown told The Review on Tuesday. There are many joys to teaching in Marlow, he said. “The kids are so respectful, and we don’t have to worry about big discipline problems, there’s no major issues.” Brown is a 1995 MHS graduate. He said at some point in the future, he would consider a job in administration.

Pat McCauley was recognized for more than 30 years of service and honored with a Support Person of the Year award.

“This gentle, kind hardworking lady is an asset to this district, always finds time to not only get her work accomplished but help everybody around her,” said Assistant Superintendent Brenda Parker-Tillian. “I’d like to think she learned this from her early upbringing, as a student at Rush Springs High School where she was an active athlete, playing basketball, cheerleading and riding horses. In fact, she was the very first Rush Springs Rodeo Queen,” said Parker-Tillian. She assisted Superintendent Corey Holland with the morning program.

The elementary cafeteria was packed with teachers, support personnel and administrators – and a few family members for the awards portion of the event.

Awards were presented for teachers at the 10-year, 15, 20, and 25-year levels. This is the first year that accumulative employment totals were included, recognizing staff who had retired or went to another district and then returned. Total years of service were counted in spite of the break in employment with Marlow.

Fifth-grade teacher Cathy Boyles received a watch for her 30 years of service to the district. Bettie Wall received a plaque and $100 check upon her retirement from the district. She served 16 years with the district as a Paraprofessional/Teacher Assistant.

“Miss Bettie has been with us for a long time and she is trying not to cry, because it is bittersweet. She has done wonderful work for us in the district – thank you for all your dedication and love,” Parker-Tillian said.

Plaques and other items were provided to the following Marlow Public School employees for all their years of service.

20 years – Valerie Coffman and Bobby Wortham.

15 years – Bryan Brantley, Daryn Brantley, Karin Brantley, Kim Davis, Annetta Field, Corey Holland, Misti McCalvin, Kellie Richardson, John Young.

10 years - Arlyn Brantley and Mark Melton.

Additionally, service awards missed during the 2021-22 school year were presented. Those included 15-year plaques to Bettie Wall, Sherri Curry and Jenna Derryberry; 20-year clocks to James Brown, Kim Kizarr and Keith Thomas; and a 25-year plaque to Janet Miller.

The district administration office summer hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.