Lawton Public Schools Communications Department
Lawton Public Schools honored its teachers, staff and community supporters April 3 during Celebration.
Celebration, held this year at MacArthur High School, is a district-wide annual event designed to recognize teachers and support staff for the work they do with and on behalf of students, while also acknowledging community partners for their help and support.
This year’s winners included Secondary Teacher of the Year Larissa Krusinsky, Elementary Teacher of the Year Melanie Russell, First Class Teacher of the Year John Cullison, and Support Staff of the Year Cassondra Green.
Lawton Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Hime also recognized Rep. Trey Caldwell and Stanley Bruce Davis Foundation Inc. as Friends of Education. Hime cited Caldwell’s strong support of education at the state Capitol, saying that as Caldwell has moved up in seniority and positions in the Legislature, he has gotten educators and education more money, including the $2,000 teachers will receive this year. Tracie Davis, president of the Stanley Bruce Davis Foundation, accepted recognition on behalf of a foundation that has supported LPS students for years, but has never wanted recognition for the positive impact it has had, Hime said.
Lawton Public School Foundation Crystal Pillars were recognized by Foundation Executive Director Lisa Carson and Kirsten Greene. They were Katie Caughron, early childhood principal at Brockland Learning Center, and Hossein and Eddye Moini. Carson said Crystal Pillars are those in the community who believe in education and students, “someone who is a cheerleader,” adding that Caughron and the Moinis have filled that role for years.
LPS staff members who retired or will retire by the end of the 2025-2026 school year also were recognized, as were educators and staff who won awards in various categories throughout the 2025-2026 school year.
Hime said this year’s Celebration was special to him because it is the last one he will participate in, as he prepares for retirement at semester’s end. He lauded the efforts of the district’s personnel on behalf of students and the remarkable things they have achieved during his tenure, noting others did the work and “I got the credit.”
“I have the best job in the world,” Hime said, adding his role of superintendent is second only to his role as grandfather for bringing joy. “I will miss you.”
Larissa Krusinsky, Secondary Teacher of the Year, is a sixth-grade reading teacher at Central Middle School and has been a teacher with LPS since 2001. She said she was blessed with the students she teaches, her colleagues and those who support her.
“Education is important – my parents instilled that in me,” she said, adding her career has been successful because of the number of people in her life who supported her.
Central student Wesley Sue Downey praised Krusinsky for leading each student to success.
“She helped us see the potential in us,” she said, adding Krusinsky is a teacher who stays with students for life.
Elementary Teacher of the Year Melanie Russell has been with the district since 2020, spending the last two years at Brockland Learning Center with Pre-K students. Russell said it is the students who make her job so enjoyable, adding she has been determined that her students would be supported and showered with love.
Her “babies,” she said, “remind me daily why this job matters.”
Cassondra Green, Support Staff of the Year, is cafeteria manager at the Life Ready Center. Green, visibly emotional at the announcement, gave credit to multiple people and to God for her tenure with Lawton Public Schools.
“It’s been a blessing to be part of the LPS family for 28 years,” she said. “You have helped me grow.”
John Cullison, First Class Teacher of the Year, is construction trades instructor at the Life Ready Center. A preacher who brings God into his daily life, Cullison said he was positive he knew why he became a teacher for his second career, when he was ready to move into retirement.
“I got here because the Lord wants me here,” he said, crediting his wife (MacArthur Middle School Principal Lisa Cullison) for convincing him to join the Life Ready Center and create a new building trades course.
SPONSORS BOX
Sponsors for the 2025-2026 Lawton Public Schools Foundation Celebration were:
Katie Couture
American Fidelity
Arvest Bank
Fort Sill Federal Credit Union
Laura Fields Trust
Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra
Liberty National Bank
Lawton Public School Foundation
Bar-S Foods
Texas Roadhouse
City National Bank
Salt Cellar Books & Gifts
Lawton Family YMCA
Whataburger
Nissan of Lawton
McAlister’s Deli
Flowers by Ramon
Sonic
Fluffy’s
Adventure Travel
Laugh Out Loud
Golden Corral
Cameron University
Lawton Public Schools