The Lexington School District is welcoming 15 new teachers to their faculty for the 2024-25 school term including Chandler Bryce Willis, Amanda Graddy, Shaylin Hall, Fidelia Ocampo, Lahoma Robinson-Powers, Amanda Scott, Sean Schadegg, Michael McKay, Hope Madden, Tiffani Ray, Steffan Wood, Tristan Perkins, James Mounger, Brittany Street and Joshua Thompson.

Willis will teach seventh grade geography. He is a graduate of Walters High School and The University of Central Oklahoma.

“I want to help kids be the best that they can be,” Willis said.

Graddy will teach middle school physical education. She is a Lexington High School graduate and earned her teaching certificate from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

This will be her first teaching experience. She will also coach basketball and softball.

“I chose this position because of the welcoming faculty and made it back to my roots,” Graddy said.

Hall will teach fifth grade math, science and social studies. She is a graduate of Purcell High School and USAO in Chickasha.

“I chose to take this position because teaching is my passion and calling,” Hall said. “There are so many great people in Lexington who I get to work alongside. I am a person who holds family close to my heart, likes photography, loves animals and cannot wait to meet my students.”

Ocampo will teach fifth grade ELA and will be assistant cheer coach. She is a graduate of Lexington High School, OCCC and ECU.

The mother of four previously taught sixth grade science and fifth grade ELA and has been an assistant junior high coach for basketball and track.

“I was excited for the opportunity to work in the field that has always been close to my heart,” Ocampo said. “I am very family oriented. I enjoy spending time with my children, friends and family. I also enjoy cooking, listening to music and to shop at a great thrift store.”

Robinson-Powers will teach first grade. The mother of six is a graduate of Pauls Valley High School and East Central University.

She has previously taught kindergarten, T-1, third, fourth and second grade students.

“This will be a new adventure, new grade and a change of pace,” she said. “I’ve always had a love for school and children. I have been involved with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church groups and cheerleading.”

Scott, who will teach kindergarten, is a graduate of Tuttle High School and East Central University. The mother of three previously taught second grade at Bridge Creek.

“Kindergarten has been my dream grade since I was in kindergarten myself,” Scott said. “I loved my teach so much. The things we did made me want to be just like her. Twenty-eight years later, I’m living the dream. Teaching is my passion but I also enjoy being outside with my family and creating lifelong memories together.”

Schadegg will teach high school algebra and pre-calculus.

He is a graduate of Noble High School and East Central University.

He previously taught at Western Heights High School and at Piedmont High School.

“I had an opportunity to work closer to home, which will allow me to be able to spend more time with family,” Schadegg said.

“This will be my seventh year in education,” Schadegg continued, “I am excited to get started and ready to build relationships at Lexington High School.”

McKay will teach 9th grade math and algebra. The father of two is a Lexington High School graduate who earned his degree from The University of Oklahoma.

He has coached wrestling at Lexington for the past two years and has been an assistant high school football coach and junior high baseball coach.

“I want to continue to make a meaningful impact on students who grow up in this community that has invested so much in me,” McKay said. “I am a proud alumnus of Lexington. Given the opportunity to coach here has been a true highlight in my time as a Bulldog.”

Madden will teach first grade. She is a Washington High School graduate and earned her degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.

“I love the community in small towns and just felt called that this is where I need to be,” Madden said.

Ray will teach first grade. She is a Lindsay High School graduate and earned her degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Ray previously taught second through sixth grade math at Maysville. She is a mother of two.

Wood will teach sixth grade science. He graduated from Jones High School and the University of Central Oklahoma.

He said he wanted to stay in the Purcell area and “make a positive impact in our community.

“I am excited to start a new season,” he confirmed.

Perkins will teach special education in lower elementary school.

She is a graduate of Ringling High school and WOSC.

She has previously taught at Altus.

“The town/community was so welcoming and embraced our family with open arms,” she said. “I am an avid lover of football, outdoors, kids, community and our church.”

Mounger will teach junior and senior resource room. He is a Lexington graduate who also attended USAO and SNU.

“I help students who have struggled in academia to reach their full potential,” he said. “I am an animal lover.”

Street will teach seventh grade science.

She is a graduate of Sequoyah-Tahlequah High School and Oklahoma Baptist University.

She previously taught middle school at Salina, OK.

“This is a very welcoming community,” she said.

Thompson will teach chemistry and physical science.

A graduate of Cyril High School, Thompson earned his degree from The University of Oklahoma.

“I teach students as best I can and to gain experience in doing so,” he said.

He will also serve as the coach of the academic team.