Karen Pumphrey, a special education teacher at Clark High School for the past 13 years, is the 2009 winner of the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching.

As the lead applied learning environment teacher and coordinator of the special education department at Clark, Pumphrey works with developmentally challenged students and works to change their perception of the world around them. Her students not only have disabilities such as autism or visual impairments, but also are refugees from Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Pumphrey received a crystal apple and a $2,500 check during a surprise visit to her classroom by Paul Kelleher, chair and the Murchison Distinguished Professor of Education at Trinity. She was surrounded by her students when the surprise announcement was made.

"They're such a big part of my life," Pumphrey said. "I'm so happy they could be here and I could make them proud. It makes me want to be a better teacher.

Pumphrey, along with fellow winner Louis Sifuentes of Ft. Sam ISD, will be honored in an April 17 ceremony at Trinity University, which sponsors the award along with the H-E-B Grocery Co. and the San Antonio Express-News. The Trinity Prize, instituted in 1982 by the University's department of education, is the area's longest-running award to honor and recognize outstanding public school teachers in greater San Antonio and Bexar County and surrounding counties.

A committee of business leaders and Trinity education students selected the Trinity Prize winners.