Panther Spotlight 1: Dwayne Terry & Christy Lyons

Cabot Public Schools is proud to present, “Panther Spotlight.” This new feature puts the spotlight on faculty and staff that are making a difference in the lives of our students every day. 

Every month throughout the school year, we'll recognize one outstanding certified and one outstanding classified employee.

For the month of September, “Panther Spotlight” is proud to recognize Cabot Freshman Academy custodian Dwayne Terry and Stagecoach Elementary 4th grade teacher Christy Lyons.

Name: Dwayne Terry

Title: Custodian at the Cabot Freshman Academy

How many years have you worked at the Cabot School District?  This will be my 4th year at CFA.

What do you love about your job? I love the people and kids that I work with. I like that the kids can come into a clean atmosphere.

Please share a favorite memory or memorable moment in your career? Moments like this, when I find out that I've had a positive impact on someone's life, because that's my daily prayer.

Why do you love working at the Cabot School District and at the Freshman Academy? I went to school at Cabot all my life and it feels like home to me. I love working at the Freshman Academy because it's one big family.

What is a motto you live by? “The road you leave behind is the road you're going to travel.” I also try to live by, “Be kind to everyone you meet; you never know who's fighting a harder battle.”

Mr. Terry adds, “It's an honor to be chosen for something like this. It truly has touched my heart.”

Tanya Spillane, CFA Principal: “Mr. Terry is very deserving of this honor. He is a phenomenal leader in our building. Whether it is sharing his daily joke, collecting student lunch trays with a smile or asking students about their day, he always finds a way to be a servant leader. Dwayne goes out of his way to make student's smile. He has a fresh joke every day and the students will line up in the cafeteria to hear his punny humor. Not only does he make the students smile, he will go out of his way to take care of our staff. Mr. Terry ensures that all of our staff members have what they need to be the best they can each day, to include a positive attitude. You can't help but smile when you are around Mr. Terry. He is his own ray of sunshine!”

Kevin Floyd, CFA Assistant Principal: “I can't even begin to express how much I admire Dwayne Terry. He is one of the most genuine and authentic people I know. He comes to work every day with a smile on his face, no matter what's going on with him personally, because he knows our students and staff need to see a smiling face. He's a man on a mission and that mission is students. He engages with them, entertains them with his daily silly joke, and most importantly encourages them. He will often call my attention to a student that he's concerned about because he's so in tune with them.  He can always tell when something is wrong. He does everything with a humble servant's attitude. When Dwayne is out, many students will ask where he is because they miss him. If every district employee came in with the same sense of purpose and the same loving, caring attitude this place would be unbelievable. Dwayne's example makes me a better administrator, but more importantly he makes me a better person.”

Name: Christy Lyons

Title: 4th Grade Teacher

How many years have you been teaching? This is my 21st year in education.

How many years teaching at the Cabot School District? This is my 15th year in the district.

What do you love about teaching? When I was a little girl, I dreamed of the day I would have my own classroom. I envisioned standing in front of the class, teaching my heart out and watching their little faces light up as they learned. As much as I love watching my students grow academically, I realize the most meaningful part of teaching is building relationships with my students and their families. For me, relationships are the heart of education and one of my biggest blessings, and I treasure the connections I have made over the last 21 years in the classroom. 

A favorite memory or memorable moment in your career?  There are so many special moments, it is hard to choose. One of the most memorable moments for me happened just a few years ago. Three of my former students, from the same family, were celebrating their college graduations. I received an invitation to their celebration! Although it had been years since they had been in my fourth grade class, they invited me to celebrate their successes. It was a humbling experience to hear each of them share memories of their days in my classroom. Today, one is a doctor, one a future pharmacist, and the other is a teacher in our district!

Another one of my favorite experiences happens each year around graduation time. Seeing a former student walk into my classroom in their cap and gown to present a Life Impact Award is truly a precious moment. While each senior visit is special, one young man stands out. When he was in fourth grade, he had really struggled academically. I met with his parents to share the difficult news that he was not making progress. His parents cried.  I cried.  But we all knew how very smart he was and that we would work together to find a way to help him. When he and his mother showed up last May with a Life Impact Award, it was truly one of the most amazing days of my career. He shared his plans to attend college and change the world, and I have no doubt he will succeed in both!

Why do you love working at the Cabot School District? I grew up in Cabot and always dreamed of one day teaching in this district.  It makes me so proud to work for a district that is, “All About Kids.”

Why do you love working at Stagecoach Elementary? Where do I begin? The administrators in our building know each child by name. They know their families and make it a priority to build a relationship with each of them. They are the kind of leaders who genuinely care about their staff members and the entire learning community. Having leaders who value teaching and learning is important, but leaders who value teachers and learners, and their families, is priceless.  

What is a motto you live by or what do you try to instill in your students? My prayer is that God will use me to touch the lives of students and their families each day. I hope students remember many things about their days in my classroom, like their multiplication facts or how to write an essay. But above all, I hope they remember how much their teacher loved them.   

Pam Wilson, Stagecoach Elementary Principal: “Mrs. Lyons builds a classroom community each year with her students. She knows each of her students individually and helps each student reach their full potential. Each May, she has many graduating seniors come back to honor her with Life Impact Awards because of the difference she has made in their life. She is a teacher leader in our building in so many areas. Her sweet demeanor and positive attitude blesses students and adults at Stagecoach each day.”

Parent Robert Hanle: “I always think of her as the nicest, sweetest teacher who has taught my kids so well!” 

Congratulations Mrs. Lyons and Mr. Terry on being featured in our first ever Panther Spotlight! Your hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed.

Panther Spotlight: Christy Lyons

Panther Spotlight: Dwayne Terry