ATU-Ozark names McClure teacher of the year

Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus has named Debbie McClure of Clarksville its 2012 Teacher of the Year.

McClure, an instructor in the Cosmetology Department, was given the award – voted on by her peers – during the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Teacher Appreciation Breakfast held recently at the First United Methodist Church’s Gardner Family Life Center.

“I would like to thank the instructors at the Ozark Campus for the award,” she said. “I was quite shocked that I received the award, knowing the caliber of instructors here. It was an honor to say the least.

“I could not work with a more professional, caring and intelligent group of people that are there for the students.”

Chancellor Jo Alice Blondin said, “In addition to her outstanding technical skill, Debbie McClure is an inspiration to her students, and one of the most patient and encouraging instructors I have known. She is enormously deserving of this award.”

McClure received her cosmetology certificate in 1992 from Arkansas Valley Technical Institute, which became Arkansas Tech-Ozark in 2003 and also is where she received her instructor training in 2004 and Associate of Applied Science in 2006.

A former business owner and stylist, McClure has been a cosmetologist for 20 years and employed at Arkansas Tech-Ozark for seven. She and her husband, Darrien McClure, have three children and three “beautiful grandchildren,” she said.

Along with Arkansas Tech-Ozark, Teacher of the Year awards were presented to instructors from Cass Job Corps of Engineers and Ozark Public Schools. Other Teacher of the Year recipients included the following:
Edwina Carr, Cass Job Corps of Engineers;
Karen Kirby, Ozark High School;
Bret Nagel, Ozark Junior High School;
Lacey Ballie, Ozark Middle School;
Jane Gibbons, Ozark Upper Elementary;
Beth O’Neal, Ozark Lower (Primary) Elementary; and,
Helen Center, Ozark Kindergarten Center.