Lexington is welcoming 10 new teachers and staff to the district for the 2025-26 school year, including Taylor Anderson, Amiya Howard, Steven Sullivan, Summer Fowler, Ty Thompson, Abby Turnpaugh, Brad Bears, Emily Harding, Megan Beason and Hank Austin.

Anderson and his wife, Kasey, are expecting their first child in October. He will be teaching special eduction and has experience in special education and coached in Norman (K-8) for six years.

A graduate of Deer Creek High School and The University of Oklahoma, Anderson said he and his wife are thankful Lexington is taking them into their community.

“I wanted to join a great community and continue being a positive influence on the students and families,” Anderson said.

Howard, who is a graduate of Plainview High School and Oklahoma City University, will teach middle school physical education and health. She previously taught PE at Sulphur.

“I wanted a new opportunity with more responsibility,” Howard said. “I have a passion for encouraging kids to be active and learn about healthy lifestyle choices.”

Howard will also be an assistant women’s basketball coach this year.

Sullivan and his wife, Gloria, have two sons, Dillon and Colton, and a daughter, Bailey.

He will be teaching eighth grade math. He is a graduate of Plainview High School and Oklahoma State University.

He previously was head football coach, powerlifting and baseball coach at Bowlegs, where he taught junior high math, Algebra I and geometry.

Sullivan, who rode bulls at OSU and professionally, has been in coaching and teaching at different levels for 12 years.

“This is a great opportunity,” Sullivan said. “I love working with kids in the classroom and coaching and watching their growth.”

Fowler and her husband, Jason, have two children, Sadie and Charlie.

She will be teaching agriculture education and FFA. She is a graduate of Norman North and attended Oklahoma State University and the University of Idaho.

She previously was the agriculture education advisor at Moore High School.

“I decided to follow my dreams of being an ag teacher after fighting it for years,” Fowler said. “I am excited to be at Lexington to carry on legacies and traditions created by my predecessors.

“I come from a family of ag teachers and have a deep passion for FFA and the way it changes lives. It gives everyone a voice and grows leaders.”

Thompson will teach seventh grade math. He is a graduate of Salina High School and earned a  B.A. from Northeastern State University and an M.A. from Southern Nazarene University.

Thompson has taught a variety of subjects in his career and most recently served as an elementary principal last year.

“I wanted to experience a new area of the state,” Thompson said.

A Lexington grad, Turnpaugh will teach sixth grade science. She is a graduate of Rose State College and Northeastern State University.

“I wanted to start my career in education at the school I grew up in,” Turnpaugh said.

Bears is a graduate of a high school in New York and earned a masters degree from The University of Oklahoma.

He will be teaching high school special education and previously taught special education at Noble.

Harding and her husband, Geremy, have three daughters, Elizabeth, Sophey and Zoey.

She will be teaching high school special education. Harding is a graduate of Noble High School and Western Governors University.

She previously taught middle school special education, math and reading.

“I love being able to make connections with my students,” Harding said.

Beason and her husband, Richie, have three sons, Dax, Reece and Cody.

She will be teaching sixth grade math and middle school outdoor education.

Beason is a graduate of Tonkawa High School and the University of Central Oklahoma.

“I find great joy in challenging, motivating and encouraging students,” she said.

Austin will be the new principal at Lexington High School.

He is a graduate of Broken Bow High School and earned his B.A. at OSU and his masters in education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

“I accepted the principal position at Lexington High School because I saw a chance to make a meaningful difference in a strong, close-knit community,” Austin said.

“I’m passionate about building relationships and creating a school environment where students feel safe, supported, and challenged and can have fun!

“Lexington felt like the right place to bring my experience and energy to the next level,” he concluded.