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 Application |
Teacher of the Year Request to Speak |
Teacher of the
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Teacher of the Year Ceremony Photos |
2018-2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year
Donna Gradel
"Each student has potential – potential to learn regardless of where their starting point is. Students are interested in nature and science and discovery, and they have a very strong sense of purpose in their life. They want to make a difference, and they want to have an impact on their world."
Donna Gradel is an environmental science teacher at Broken Arrow Public Schools, was named Oklahoma’s 2018 Teacher of the Year at a ceremony at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.
Read more about Donna...
Congratulations, Donna Gradel!
Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Topics
- 2020-2021 Application
- 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
Teacher of the Year 2019-2020
Becky Oglesby
Pre-K - Third grade
Ranchwood Elementary School
Yukon Public Schools.
Read her Press Release
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Donna Gradel, Broken Arrow | ||
| 2017 | Jon Hazel, Durant | 1984 | Gwen Pasby, Elk City |
| 2016 | Shawn Sheehan, Norman | 1983 | Nancy O’Donnell, Perry |
| 2015 | Jason Scott Proctor, Tahlequah | 1982 | Kathlyn Reynolds, Putnam City |
| 2014 | Peter Markes, Edmond | 1981 | Alice Gregg, Okay |
| 2013 | Elaine Hutchison, Fairview | 1980 | Sherry Morgan, Sand Springs |
| 2012 | Kristin Shelby, Hollis | 1979 | Frances Herron, Altus |
| 2011 | Elizabeth Smith, Byng | 1978 | Pat Kellogg Roller, Ada |
| 2010 | Brian Grimm, Tulsa | 1977 | June Richardson, Duncan |
| 2009 | Heather Sparks, Oklahoma City | 1976 | Wilda Walker, Enid |
| 2008 | Stephanie Canada, Shawnee | 1975 | Maralene Wesner, Idabel |
| 2007 | Linda-Hasler Reid, Muskogee | 1974 | Valerie Carolina, Wewoka |
| 2006 | Robyn Hilger, Oklahoma City | 1973 | Frankie Minton, Lindsay |
| 2005 | Susan Illgen, Grove | 1972 | Vernice Ware, Bartlesville |
| 2004 | Cindy Ball, Muskogee | 1971 | Albert Clark, Enid |
| 2003 | James Kerr, Union | 1970 | Ruby Browning, Grove |
| 2002 | Mike Bynum, Sand Springs | 1969 | Trudy McFarland, Stillwater |
| 2001 | Talita DeNegri, Oklahoma City | 1968 | Edward Hennessee, Lawton |
| 2000 | Mitsuye Conover, Bartlesville | 1967 | Evelyn Findley Williamson, Oklahoma City |
| 1999 | Lynn Peacher, Jenks | 1966 | Helen Cosgrove, Norman |
| 1998 | Kay Long, Broken Arrow | 1965 | Sam Evans, Oklahoma College for Women |
| 1997 | George Abshire, Jenks | 1964 | Lawana Trout, Sand Springs |
| 1996 | Stephen Smallwood, Broken Bow | 1963 | Bona Gordey, Tulsa |
| 1995 | Linda Kay Webb, Broken Arrow | 1962 | Flossie Beckett, Lindsay |
| 1994 | Mary Jane Bassett, Woodward | 1961 | James Jenkins, Oklahoma City |
| 1993 | Betsy Mabry, Enid | 1960 | Mary Gillentine, Ron School |
| 1992 | Rhonda Harryman, Edmond | 1959 | Edna Donley, Alva |
| 1991 | Marilyn King, Stillwater | 1958 | Helen White, Duncan |
| 1990 | Eugene Earsom, Moore | 1957 | A.B. Herring, Prague |
| 1989 | Mike Adkins, Moore | 1956 | Mary Lawrence, Claremore |
| 1988 | Dale Long, Oologah-Talala | 1955 | Ethel Briggs, Barnsdall |
| 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
