ENID, OKLAHOMA —If there's anything Eisenhower Elementary School Principal Lyntel A. Murphy is known for, it's her love for children.
“If you want to be a teacher, you have to have a love for children,” Murphy said. “And you have to have patience.”
If Murphy wanted to do something, he would spend every day sitting in a rocking chair in some classroom reading to students.
“Schools used to have rocking chairs, but now teachers are too busy,” Murphy said. “Our teachers have a very precise curriculum to follow.”
Murphy, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, also has a deep faith. As she looks back on her life, she realizes various events that set her on the path she was meant to take.
Prior to his teaching career, Murphy worked in the Air Force maintaining aircraft. She holds an Associate of Liberal Arts degree in Aircraft Maintenance. She became interested in being a caregiver because that was her father's job.
One of the events that changed the direction of her life was a car theft. She was planning to go to university, but suddenly she couldn't go to university.
“We talked to the Air Force and they were able to get us trained and put into service right away,” Murphy said. “I decided to do it and immediately changed my plans.”
She never regretted it. Murphy has been stationed all over the world, where she worked for various aircraft groups and lived in countries such as England, Iceland, and the Netherlands. She went to Las Vegas twice a year.
After 17 years in the military, Murphy decided to return to college. Once again, her fate influenced her life. She was commuting more than an hour from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where she met another woman. who was it doing the same thing.
The two began traveling together, and the woman introduced her to the idea of alternative education. My love for teaching began. Murphy made this her own path and continued her education.
In addition to his associate's and bachelor's degrees in aviation, he earned a master's degree in education in curriculum and instruction with an elementary education concentration, a teaching management certification, and a doctorate in education with a curriculum and instruction concentration from Capella University.
Murphy has taught students from third to fifth grade, but her preference is fourth grade.
Murphy moved to Enid in 2010 when her husband, Craig, accepted a position as database manager for Vertex at Vance Air Force Base. She was offered a teaching position teaching her fourth grade at Coolidge Elementary School, where she then became an instructional coach.
“I think it’s really important for teachers to be imaginative with children and passionate about teaching,” she said. “Listening is important, and it's important to make sure your kids are actually listening to what you're saying.”
Murphy was employed as principal at Eisenhower from 2012 to 2014; for She attended Hayes Elementary School in 2014 and returned to Eisenhower in 2018, where she is now.
“I love being a principal, but there are days when I miss teaching,” Murphy said. “Teaching is a wonderful job that allows you to have a positive influence on children.”
Murphy spoke at Women's Month at Northern Oklahoma College Enid in March on “Women Advocating for Equity, Transformation, and Inclusion,” and shared several books that conveyed her message to the audience.
“One woman is enough. You need to know your moment,” she said. “The power of a moment has an important meaning in life.”
Murphy has been teaching for 27 years and still has a desire to continue.
“My husband keeps asking me when I'm going to retire, so I'll probably tell him this year, but then I'll be excited all over again.”
She is always thinking about what she can do for children.
“My vision for our students is to provide the highest quality education in a safe, secure and nurturing environment, and to prepare them for life's challenges,” she said. Ta.
Murphy is determined and has no regrets about the path his life has taken. She has been married to her husband Craig for 44 years and they have two sons and two granddaughters.
