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Durant Schools Superintendent Duane Merideth embraces Robert E. Lee Early Childhood Center teacher Shaunda Usry during a surprise visit to her classroom to tell her she had been named the Durant Teacher of the Year. Merideth noticed the excited reactions of Usry’s students while embracing her. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat
Robert E. Lee Early Childhood Center teacher Shaunda Usry was named the Durant Teacher of the Year for 2023-2024.
Superintendent Duane Merideth and assistant Superintendent Kenny Chaffin were among those who made the surprise visit to her classroom last Friday morning. Representatives of Dr. Pepper, who support the program, were also present.
Usry has been a teacher since 2014 and she was very surprised to learn she had been named the district-wide Teacher of the Year.
“I’m very excited,” Usry said. “I’m very happy to represent Durant and Robert E. Lee and I hope that I do my best to do that and to make sure that all of our teachers’ voices are heard.”
Durant Schools Superintendent Duane Merideth also was excited. He has said many times that the Durant School District is so blessed to have such great teachers, staff and students.
“I’m always excited about our Teacher of the Year and we have so many great teachers and Shaunda’s a great example of that, and we just appreciate her and all of her staff so much,” Merideth said.
REL Principal Lisa Whitley said Usry does more than just serve in the classroom.
“Shaunda instills her Little Lions with joy, love and a sense of belonging,” Whitley said. “She maintains high expectations of all students and at the same time, makes each one feel special and important.
“It’s not unusual to see her at student soccer games, dance recitals or birthday parties, not just while the student is in her classroom, but also in the years beyond - because once you’re an ‘Usry Student’ you’re always an ‘Usry Student.’ Shaunda is truly an extra-ordinary educator.”