Pryor elementary teacher receives community award.
Maurene Russell, a teacher at Lincoln Elementary, has been named a Community Champion by the All Things Green program.
Russell earned the award for her work teaching hands-on gardening, sustainability, and nutrition, while overseeing the Pryor Creek Community Garden and managing volunteers, lessons, and community partnerships that help students and families grow, said Natalie Bonham, director of the All Things Green Mayes County HOPE program. Bonham also noted that Russell is a true champion of Pryor Public Schools.
Bonham added that this year Russell’s work “resulted in nearly 746 pounds of fresh vegetables donated to local food-insecure families, up from 433 pounds last year.”
In addition to her work in the garden, Russell serves Lincoln Elementary as an art teacher during the school day. In the evenings, she takes on a leadership role as an AfterSchool site director, managing ten different Tiger PRIDE Afterschool clubs and supporting students and staff beyond the traditional school day.
Tigers PRIDE Afterschool Director Laura Holloway shared that Russell is a site director who models the best type of behavior for both staff and students.
We are so proud of you, Mrs. Russell, and grateful for the many ways you make a positive impact on our students, families, and community.