Pauls Valley educator Ryan Caldwell was named Pauls Valley’s District Teacher of the Year Monday, as school administrators, faculty and staff took time during a district-wide professional development day to recognize the 2025-2026 teachers of the year for each of the school system’s four school sites and award the District Teacher of the Year honor.
Caldwell, who was also recognized as Pauls Valley High School’s Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026, teaches financial literacy, coaches basketball, track and cross country at PVHS and currently serves as athletic director for the district.
“He wears many hats and wears them well,” PVHS English teacher and professional development committee member Cara Gaddy said in introducing Caldwell as the PVHS Teacher of the Year Monday. “I don’t think I’ve met anyone who works harder and cares more about the kids than he does.”
The district also recognized special education teacher Nikki Readnour as Teacher of the Year at Pauls Valley Elementary School, special education teacher Caitlin Picard as Teacher of the Year at Pauls Valley Intermediate School, and science teacher Jonathan Wheeler as Teacher of the Year at Pauls Valley Junior High School.
Readnour is a 27-year teacher for the Pauls Valley district.
“Nikki has a genuine desire to see her students succeed both academically and behaviorally,” colleague and professional development committee member Dara Ammons said in presenting Readnour’s award. “Her job is both challenging and immensely rewarding. Despite daily obstacles, [She] looks forward to coming to work each and every day, witnessing her students’ growth and achievement. Her love and dedication to the profession is what makes her such an asset to Pauls Valley schools. She is dearly loved and admired by both students and colleagues.”
Picard has been with the district since 2022 and currently teaches fifth- and sixth-grade special education. In presenting her award, professional development committee member Kacy Manning said Picard’s goal as a teacher is to equip students with the skills, confidence and knowledge they need to be successful in all areas of life. The opportunity to uplift students and help them discover their potential is a responsibility Picard carries with pride and is the reason she strives for excellence in all aspects of her work, Manning said.
Wheeler has taught science at Pauls Valley Junior High since 2015.
“I’m lucky to be part of the same science department he is in,” Greg Manning, eighth grade science teacher and committee member, said in presenting Wheeler’s award.
“He does a great job in the classroom. Every year, about two to three weeks into school, I ask my former students who their favorite freshman teacher is and almost every time I get Mr. Wheeler is their favorite teacher, favorite class,” Manning said.
This year’s teachers of the year were selected by the district’s professional development committee, which includes a teacher representative from each building, as well as a special education teacher and a school counselor from the district.
