2021 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year - State Selection Committee

Krista Starbuck

Alva Public Schools | Washington Early Childhood Center

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“Building relationships are the heart of learning. Engaging with students and parents not only fosters trust, it promotes commitment and motivation needed to tackle challenging learning tasks and behaviors. It’s never too late to break down these barriers and come together as a community to support student success.”

Current Teaching Position

Pre-K-1st grade; Reading, Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, Vocabulary, Writing, Spelling, Comprehension and Fluency

Educational Preparation

B.S. in Education, Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Masters in Reading Specialist, Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Years in Current Position

3

Years Total

21

Candidate Video

Valerie Brink

Bethany Public Schools | Earl Harris Elementary School

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“I know that greatness and excellence fill my classroom each and every day and that by preparing the children in my classroom today, I can better impact the world tomorrow.”

Current Teaching Position

Kindergarten; all subjects

Educational Preparation

B.S. in Elementary Education, University of Central Oklahoma

Years in Current Position

4

Years Total

15

Candidate Video

Lesa Dickson

Broken Arrow Public Schools | Broken Arrow High School

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"When I sometimes consider my footprint on the world and the significance of my career, I reflect on the hundreds of children with whom I have worked, and I realize with a full heart that my contribution is as significant as any other service career I could have chosen.”

Current Teaching Position

AP Language and Composition

Educational Preparation

B.A., University of Oklahoma

M.A., University of Oklahoma

Years in Current Position

9

Years Total

39

Candidate Video

Natalie Haworth

Durant Independent School District | Durant High School

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“As a result of my intentionality in my relationships with my students, supporting them in whatever way I can, and the extra time I put in with them through volunteering for school events, attending community events, sponsoring student council, FCA and academic team, and offering extra study sessions, I would say that my students are my greatest contributions and accomplishments in education.”

Current Teaching Position

10th-12th grade; Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, & Forensic Science

Educational Preparation

B.S. in Science Education, Southeastern OK State University

M.Ed. in Professional Ed. Leadership, Southeastern OK State University

Years in Current Position

5

Years Total

6

Candidate Video

Melanie Ball

Guthrie Public Schools | Cotteral Elementary School

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‘’I have always wanted to be that source of hope and security for a child. Some of our students have very difficult situations happening in their lives. At all costs, I need to help them meet their basic needs as well as teach them the curriculum. After years of teaching, I still feel that is the most important role I have.”

Current Teaching Position

3rd Grade; all subjects

Educational Preparation

B.A. in Elementary Education, University of Central Oklahoma

Masters in Education, University of Central Oklahoma

Years in Current Position

2

Years Total

25

Candidate Video

Michael Patterson

Guymon Public Schools | Guymon High School

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I believe it is crucial, educationally, that we treat students with respect as autonomous individuals with the ability and freedom to make choices about the paths they choose to take. I also insist upon the rigor of responsibility for those choices. Those lessons, to my mind, are as important as any that I teach.”

Current Teaching Position

9th-12th grade; Speech, Debate, & Drama

Educational Preparation

B.A. in Speech/Theater Education, Southwestern Oklahoma State

Years in Current Position

41

Years Total

41

Candidate Video

Stephanie Terry

Mid-Del Public Schools | Del City High School

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“We must challenge our students with difficult tasks and then come alongside them to master the task. We must teach them that it is okay to fail, but not to quit. We must hold them to a standard of excellence and teach them that deadlines and difficulties are a part of life; but how wonderful it is, once a task is completed and finished well.”

Current Teaching Position

9th-12th grade; AP US History, Journalism, Photojournalism, and Yearbook

Educational Preparation

B.S.E. Sec. Social Studies Ed., Oklahoma Baptist University

M.Ed. in Secondary Education, University of Central Oklahoma

Years in Current Position

9

Years Total

24

Candidate Video

Jessica Eschbach

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“Being a teacher permeates every aspect of my life, in the best way possible, and working with students and teachers has taught me to be a more thoughtful, compassionate, and responsible human being.”

Current Teaching Position

Pre-K-12th Innovative Learning Coach

Educational Preparation

B.S. in Education, University of Oklahoma

Master of Library and Info. Studies, Rutgers University

MEd in Educational Leadership (in progress), East Central University

Years in Current Position

1

Years Total

7

Candidate Video

Amy Lennertz

Piedmont Public Schools | Piedmont Intermediate School

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“Our students come into our classrooms eager to learn, and we have the opportunity to build into their lives every day. We see them grow as students, and we see them grow as individuals. Eventually they will become productive members of society, and it is an honor that we had a small part in furthering their growth.”

Current Teaching Position

6th grade; Spanish and Theater Arts

Educational Preparation

Certificate in Biblical Studies, Lutheran Bible Institute

B.A. in Liberal Studies, Azusa Pacific University

CA Professional Clear Credential, Azusa Pacific University

Years in Current Position

5

Years Total

8

Candidate Video

Ginger Billman

Stillwater Public Schools | Richmond Elementary School

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“My philosophy in education is that you need to build a culture of respect and set high expectations, which together will achieve academic excellence. I want to move each child forward, striving for his or her personal best, regardless of what labels have been placed upon them by others.”

Current Teaching Position

1st grade; all subjects

Educational Preparation

B.A. in Elementary Education, Oklahoma State University

Masters in Special Education, University of Central Oklahoma

Years in Current Position

3

Years Total

26

Candidate Video

Lori Zimmerman

Woodward Public Schools | Woodward Middle School

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“It is an awesome responsibility to prepare young people for the future. Our value as educators lies in whether or not we constantly examine our actions to ensure that every decision we make not only supports the success of our students but also the educators who are working alongside us.”

Current Teaching Position

6th grade; Language Arts

Educational Preparation

B.S. in Elementary Education, Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Years in Current Position

3

Years Total

22

Candidate Video

Keri Smith

Yukon Public Schools | Independence Intermediate School

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“It is important to me to use my story of a shy and doubtful child to communicate to other educators the need to build relationships, use strength-based approaches to teaching and demonstrating mastery, and finding the gem inside every student.”

Current Teaching Position

4th-6th grade; Gifted and Talented

Educational Preparation

B.S. in Elementary Education, University of Central Oklahoma

Graduate Coursework; Gifted Education, University of Central Oklahoma

M.Ed. in Administration, Southwestern OK State University

Years in Current Position

4

Years Total

7

Candidate Video