DeSoto Alternative Education Program

For 13 years, Mrs. Channon Payton has been an anchor of dedication, purpose, and heart within DeSoto ISD. Her journey began at McCowan Middle School, where she spent seven impactful years as a 6th–8th grade Inclusion and Resource Teacher. Today, she serves as the counselor at West Middle School—an environment where her gifts are not only needed but deeply felt. 

A proud graduate of Langston University, Mrs. Payton earned her degree in Psychology before completing her Master’s in Education at the University of Central Oklahoma. Before joining the world of education, she worked as a Juvenile Probation Officer, a role that opened her eyes to how much more she could offer if she reached students earlier in their development. That realization guided her into education, where she has spent over a decade changing lives with intention. 

At West Middle School, Mrs. Payton is known for going above and beyond. She worked tirelessly to ensure scholars received their schedules—an enormous task she handled with patience, accuracy, and genuine care. Her colleagues see her commitment daily, and her students feel it even more deeply. Mrs. Payton welcomes scholars with warmth, presence, and belief in who they are becoming. Her counseling style is approachable, supportive, and rooted in purpose. 

Purpose in motion looks like Mrs. Payton. 
She moves with compassion, leads with integrity, and supports staff with unwavering dedication. Her students trust her because she shows up for them—not just to guide them academically, but to prepare them for life beyond the hallways of West Middle School. 

Always present. Always intentional. Always a team player. 
Mrs. Payton is, without question, one of the brightest lights in West Middle School and a true embodiment of what it means to serve with purpose.