Oklahoma Teacher of the Year
The Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Program is coordinated through the Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Joy Hofmeister. The program is in conjunction with the National Teacher of the Year Program sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the ING Foundation.
The Oklahoma State Fair Board established the Edward C. Joullian III $5,000 Scholarship to be awarded to a high school senior in the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year’s school district. The scholarship winner is announced at the Oklahoma State Fair. This scholarship was established to encourage students to continue their education, recognize the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year’s school district, and celebrate the contributions of Mr. Joullian to the lives of Oklahoma’s young people.
Teacher of the Year Request to Speak |
Teacher of the
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Teacher of the Year Ceremony Photos |
2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year
Becky Oglesby
“Batman believed that one man could make a difference and took it upon himself to do so and in turn became a legend. I want to be Batman,” Oglesby said. “I want to be the ordinary person who puts on the mask that hides the simplicity of who I am and fights to give my students the best education that empowers them to find their purpose.”
Becky is an Art teacher at Yukon Public Schools, was named Oklahoma’s 2019 Teacher of the Year at a ceremony at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.
Read more about Becky...
Congratulations, Becky Oglesby!
2020-2021 Winner - Jena Nelson
2020 Announcement
2020 Ceremony Photos
Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Topics
We're working on some exciting updates to the Teacher of the Year Program! The 2021 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Application will be released on June 1, 2020. Check back here for more updates.
- General Qualifications
- Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Recognition
- Edward C. Joullian III Scholarship
- Oklahoma’s Past Teachers of the Year
- Contact Information
Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Program
General Qualifications
All Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 classroom teachers in state-accredited schools is eligible for nomination. It is important that every teacher is given the opportunity to participate in this recognition process. No minimum years of teaching experience are required to be qualified for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year.
Nominees should be exceptionally skillful and dedicated classroom teachers who are planning to continue in an active teaching status. According to the director of the National Teacher of the Year Program, a classroom teacher is one who teaches a group of students every day within the confines of the classroom and does not have administrative duties. Nominees should communicate effectively and demonstrate creative and imaginative teaching on a day-to-day basis. The nominee should have the ability to inspire the value of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities and assure academic success. Nominations should be made without regard to age, sex, race, or religion.
Selection Process
At the local district level, the Teacher of the Year program is coordinated through the district superintendent. It is the responsibility of the district superintendent to make sure that every teacher is given the opportunity to participate in the recognition process. It is important to emphasize that the search is not for “the best teacher,” but for one who exemplifies the finest in the profession.
Local District Selection Process
The local school district determines the local selection process and announces the local Teacher of the Year.
State Selection Committee
The state selection committee will follow procedures identified below for each of the twelve finalists to select the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year.
- Conduct an interview
- View a digital video file of classroom teaching. Each of the twelve regional finalists will be responsible for submitting a ten-minute digital video file of classroom teaching in early September. If the local district does not have taping capabilities, assistance will be provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (each finalist may view previous Oklahoma Teacher of the Year videos upon request)
- Recommend the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year to the State Superintendent
Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Recognition
The Oklahoma Teacher of the Year serves as Oklahoma Ambassador of Teaching, representing Oklahoma in the national competition by sharing knowledge and resources with fellow educators around the state and encouraging education as a profession.
Edward C. Joullian III Scholarship
The $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a high school senior in the current Oklahoma Teacher of the Year’s district.
Former Oklahoma Teacher of the Year List
| Year | Name | Year | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Jena Nelson, Deer Creek Public Schools | 1984 | Gwen Pasby, Elk City |
| 2019 | Becky Oglesby, Yukon Public Schools | 1983 | Nancy O’Donnell, Perry |
| 2018 | Donna Gradel, Broken Arrow | 1982 | Kathlyn Reynolds, Putnam City |
| 2017 | Jon Hazel, Durant | 1981 | Alice Gregg, Okay |
| 2016 | Shawn Sheehan, Norman | 1980 | Sherry Morgan, Sand Springs |
| 2015 | Jason Scott Proctor, Tahlequah | 1979 | Frances Herron, Altus |
| 2014 | Peter Markes, Edmond | 1978 | Pat Kellogg Roller, Ada |
| 2013 | Elaine Hutchison, Fairview | 1977 | June Richardson, Duncan |
| 2012 | Kristin Shelby, Hollis | 1976 | Wilda Walker, Enid |
| 2011 | Elizabeth Smith, Byng | 1975 | Maralene Wesner, Idabel |
| 2010 | Brian Grimm, Tulsa | 1974 | Valerie Carolina, Wewoka |
| 2009 | Heather Sparks, Oklahoma City | 1973 | Frankie Minton, Lindsay |
| 2008 | Stephanie Canada, Shawnee | 1972 | Vernice Ware, Bartlesville |
| 2007 | Linda-Hasler Reid, Muskogee | 1971 | Albert Clark, Enid |
| 2006 | Robyn Hilger, Oklahoma City | 1970 | Ruby Browning, Grove |
| 2005 | Susan Illgen, Grove | 1969 | Trudy McFarland, Stillwater |
| 2004 | Cindy Ball, Muskogee | 1968 | Edward Hennessee, Lawton |
| 2003 | James Kerr, Union | 1967 | Evelyn Findley Williamson, Oklahoma City |
| 2002 | Mike Bynum, Sand Springs | 1966 | Helen Cosgrove, Norman |
| 2001 | Talita DeNegri, Oklahoma City | 1965 | Sam Evans, Oklahoma College for Women |
| 2000 | Mitsuye Conover, Bartlesville | 1964 | Lawana Trout, Sand Springs |
| 1999 | Lynn Peacher, Jenks | 1963 | Bona Gordey, Tulsa |
| 1998 | Kay Long, Broken Arrow | 1962 | Flossie Beckett, Lindsay |
| 1997 | George Abshire, Jenks | 1961 | James Jenkins, Oklahoma City |
| 1996 | Stephen Smallwood, Broken Bow | 1960 | Mary Gillentine, Ron School |
| 1995 | Linda Kay Webb, Broken Arrow | 1959 | Edna Donley, Alva |
| 1994 | Mary Jane Bassett, Woodward | 1958 | Helen White, Duncan |
| 1993 | Betsy Mabry, Enid | 1957 | A.B. Herring, Prague |
| 1992 | Rhonda Harryman, Edmond | 1956 | Mary Lawrence, Claremore |
| 1991 | Marilyn King, Stillwater | 1955 | Ethel Briggs, Barnsdall |
| 1990 | Eugene Earsom, Moore | ||
| 1989 | Mike Adkins, Moore | ||
| 1988 | Dale Long, Oologah-Talala | ||
| 1987 | Geraldine Burns, Fairview | ||
| 1986 | Jane Kennedy, Yukon | ||
| 1985 | Barbara Smith, Miami |
If you have any questions regarding the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year process; please contact:
Justin Newton
Events
Oklahoma State Department of Education
(405) 522-8767
events@sde.ok.gov
