Doreen Winn was recently announced as the Hennessey Public School District Teacher of the Year.

A physical education teacher at both the Early Childhood Center and Hennessey Elementary, Winn was named the teacher of the year at those two schools.

Other site teachers of the year were Lezlie Hardin at the middle school and Amy Shelite at the high school.

ECC Principal Stacey Mack said although Winn has only taught at HPS for two years, she’s made an immediate and positive impact.

“Mrs. Winn has done an amazing job of teaching exciting and engaging age-appropriate lessons to her students,” the principal said.

This past year she researched the state PE standards for pre-K-fourth grade, and created curriculum maps on those standards.

She has written grants to secure new P.E. equipment and was actively involved in grant writing and fundraisers to secure the ECC’s outdoor classroom.

Elementary Principal Barry Crosswhite agrees that Winn’s passion is teaching.

“She has worked in education for 34 years,” he said.

“Even though she had a successful year as an administrator, she knew she wanted to go back to being a teacher one day. “

She never dreamed it would be teaching physical education, but said she was blessed with a great opportunity in Hennessey.

Winn said it has been challenging and, by far, the most fun for her. Both principals agree that her positive attitude, energy, and excitement for teaching is contagious to the students and staff.

Winn and her husband of 37 years, Gene, have three adult sons and one daughter (Kassie Jo who is married to Jorge Huizar, HHS ag teacher and FFA adviser).

The Winns have four grandsons, three granddaughters and another on the way.

Middle School Principal Ricardo Tarango said Lezlie (Zielny) Hardin is a dedicated teacher, and works with ELL students before school even starts with students.

“She’s also constantly in my office,” he said, “but that’s a good thing because she always has ideas about how we can reach the students, and do it better. We’re lucky to have her on our staff.”

Hardin has more than 20 years teaching experience. She was previously at Hennessey as a second and third grade teacher from 2001-15 and re-joined the district in 2020.

She is married to Dagan Hardin and they have two sons, Jessin, a freshman, and Barrit, a fifth grader, at Hennessey.

She is an active member of her church parish where she and her husband serve as youth directors.

High School Principal Josh Faulkner said he’s blown away by all that Amy Shelite is able to do for the schools. She is the special education and English Language Learner teacher at the high school, and also teaches fifth grade, Faulker said.

“She also runs our Saturday School and volunteers whenever she can,” he said.

Faulkner said he’s seen Shelite stay for additional time on many occasions to tutor and work with her students.

“She will often come in early. She often stays late. She has given up her Saturdays,” he said.

“She does all of this to ensure the students of Hennessey High School are successful. I cannot say enough about Mrs. Shelite’s integrity, work-ethic, and motivation to guide students to success. She is truly deserving of this honor.”

This is Shelite’s second stint at Hennessey as she returned in 2019. She had previously taught eight years with HPS.

Her daughter Ezri is a junior at Hennessey High School and son Joseph is a junior at Oklahoma State University.