Southwest Middle School physical education teacher and coach Kristin Mallory was named Thursday morning as the Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year. After she was presented a check for ,000, she holds a giant cookie given to her by her friend Marci Leuschen, science teacher at Free State High School.

Southwest Middle School physical education teacher Kristin Mallory wore her lucky shoes on Thursday. Even so, when she heard someone would be named the Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year at a school assembly, she said she didn’t think she had a chance.

But it was Mallory — known as Coach Mal to teachers and students — who was selected for the annual honor. As part of the award, Mallory, in her red Converse All Stars, accepted a check for $1,000 and the microphone.

“I was wearing my lucky red shoes today though, so maybe that had something to do with it,” she told those gathered in the school’s gymnasium.

Southwest Middle School physical education teacher and coach Kristin Mallory was named Thursday morning as the Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year. After she was presented a check for ,000, she holds a giant cookie given to her by her friend Marci Leuschen, science teacher at Free State High School.

Lawrence Superintendent Rick Doll made the announcement to Southwest teachers, staff and students as part of a surprise assembly Thursday morning. Doll said nominations cited Mallory’s “can-do spirit” and said she is committed to a positive and healthy school atmosphere.

“It’s obvious to me, and a whole bunch of people that nominated her, that she’s a very special teacher, and this recognition is well deserved,” Doll said.

The school district annually selects an elementary and a secondary Teacher of the Year for local recognition. Truity Credit Union, one of the district’s Lawrence Education Achievement Partners, presents each winner with a $1,000 check.

“Thank you, students, thank you, teachers, thank you, administrators,” Mallory said. “I’ve got to say, I am honored and privileged to do a job that I love, in a place that I love. Not everybody can say that.”

Mallory began teaching at Southwest when it opened in 1995, and has spent all but one of her 22 years of teaching at the school. She coaches volleyball, track and girl’s basketball at Southwest. Mallory thanked her family, as well as her students and coworkers at the school, who she said are a big part of her success.

“It’s easy to do a job well when you’re around great people,” she said. “And I think I am encouraged and driven every day by the people that I teach with. They share their successes and it turns into successes for all of us.”

After the award ceremony, Mallory said PE is part of educating the whole student, and her strategy for PE class and coaching is similar.

“I see every kid in our building in two days, and I think the biggest thing I try to do is just connect with kids,” Mallory said. “Make a connection to each of them, whether they’re an athlete or a nonathlete, to find something they enjoy.”

Whatever role she is in, Mallory’s encouraging attitude is greatly appreciated, said Kristen Ryan, Southwest principal, in a news release.

“Coach Mal’s character from her P.E. classroom, a basketball game, student council assembly or advisory team meeting is consistent,” Ryan said. “She will do what it takes to meet kids where they are, provide the best experience possible for them and looks for the solution, not the problem.”

Mallory earned her bachelor’s degree at Ottawa University and her master’s from MidAmerica Nazarene University. Prior to her time at Southwest, she taught PE at the former Lawrence Alternative High School and West Junior High.

As the Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year, Mallory will be nominated for the Kansas State Department of Education’s Kansas Teacher of the Year program. Sunset Hill special education teacher Debra Williams was named Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year on Monday.