By Payton Moody
Mrs. Lori May is a dedicated educator with a passion for teaching special education students at Durant High School. With decades of experience and a profound commitment to her students, she continues to make a positive impact in their lives.
Currently teaching high school special education students from 9th to 12th grade, May has been a vital part of the Durant High School faculty for three years. However, her teaching journey extends far beyond Durant. She began her career in December 1990 at Maud, where she taught for one and a half years. Over the years, she’s taught in various schools, including Tishomingo High School, Caddo Public School and schools in Texas.
May’s decision to become a teacher was an easy one for her. “I always had a passion for teaching,” May said. “As a young girl, I would always get old textbooks at the end of the school year from my teachers and play school with my cousins and brothers all summer in an old farmhouse.”
Reflecting on her own educational journey, May credits her high school English teacher as a major influence. This teacher’s strict yet supportive approach instilled in her a strong work ethic and a love for writing.
May’s passion for teaching has been a long-standing ideal for her. “As an educator, I love seeing special needs students grow and learn,” she said. “I hold my students accountable and expect them to be the best they can be. I enjoy seeing the smiles on their faces when they get a concept I am teaching.”
When asked about the best teaching advice she’s received, May emphasizes the importance of staying firm, structured and consistent in the classroom. These principles contribute to her students’ success and development.
Outside of teaching, May enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, whether it’s gardening or riding her motorcycle. She also shares her love for antique car shows with her husband and grandson, creating cherished family memories.
In her journey from administrator to teacher, Mrs. Lori May has found immense fulfillment in the role of an educator. She considers it an honor to be called a teacher and continues to inspire and empower her special education students at Durant High School, leaving a lasting impact on their lives.
