Five Oklahoma City-area educators named finalists for state Teacher of the Year

Almost half of the finalists for 2023 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year are from Oklahoma City-area schools.

Twelve finalists for the award were named Wednesday at the Oklahoma History Center after a panel of educators, lawmakers and civil leaders chose the group among applicants from across the state.

The next state Teacher of the Year, one of the 12 finalists, will be announced in March.

"We set out to find the very best we can and bring forward to honor those exemplary and innovative teachers in Oklahoma classrooms," state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said. "These 12 finalists are individuals of exceptional character and expertise, and they have devoted their lives to educating and motivating Oklahoma's children."

The eventual winner will take a year off from the classroom to serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession and will represent Oklahoma in the national Teacher of the Year competition. Additionally, a $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a high school senior from the Teacher of the Year's district.

Rebecka Peterson, a high school math teacher from Union Public Schools, is the current state Teacher of the Year.

"As I travel to our 77 counties, the work of our public school teachers continues to humble and inspire me," Peterson said. "None of us could imagine what the world would look like after a global pandemic. We are still recovering and healing. As I look into the last two years, I see an army of educators who never retreated."

The 2020 Teacher of the Year, Jena Nelson, is the Democratic nominee for state schools superintendent.

Here is a look at the 12 finalists for Oklahoma Teacher of the year:

Kelsee Arnold

• School: Spring Creek Elementary and Aspen Creek Elementary, Broken Arrow Public Schools

• Grade/subject: Third- through fifth-grade gifted and talented teacher

• Quotable: "It is an honor to witness kids’ dreams come to fruition, knowing that our reach is impacting future successes, and doing it hand-in-hand with other heart-driven, passionate educators," Arnold said.

Marcy Boudreaux-Johnson

• School: Prairie Vale Elementary, Deer Creek Public Schools

• Grade/subject: Kindergarten through third-grade reading intervention teacher

• Quotable: “To this day I remember the teachers who helped to make me feel confident and comfortable in my learning environment. I work hard to be that teacher for students on our campus," Boudreaux-Johnson said.

Emily Boyett

• School: Frontier Elementary, Edmond Public Schools

• Grade/subject: Speech-language pathologist

• Quotable: "My philosophy of teaching is that every human, no matter how physically or cognitively involved or complex, deserves the freedom of self-expression and the dignity of inclusion and acceptance,” Boyett said.

Rob Bradshaw

• School: Longfellow Middle School, Norman Public Schools

• Grade/subject: Fifth- through eighth-grade orchestra instructor

• Quotable: "While the pandemic was extremely challenging, I was amazed to see the resilience, dedication, and strength of my fellow teachers as we worked together to create meaningful engagement and education for our students. Throughout the pandemic, my guiding principle has remained, 'How can I create a lasting and meaningful opportunity for students in my classroom? How can I help make orchestra the best part of my students’ day?'" Bradshaw said.

Julie Cryer

• School: Jenks Middle School, Jenks Public Schools

• Grade/subject: Middle school band teacher

• Quotable: “The lessons learned and applied in teaching are not linear, but rather they intertwine like a web. They all affect each other. Each day in the classroom brings new challenges and new opportunities for growth,” Cryer said.

Traci Manuel

• School: Booker T. Washington High School, Tulsa Public Schools

• Grade/subject: 10th-grade advanced English II teacher

• Quotable: "Just like I took a different path to become a teacher, I desire to inspire my students to take that path in learning to unlock their potential of brilliance,” Manuel said.

Rexanne McCrary

• School: Union High School, Union Public Schools

• Grade/subject: 11th- and 12th-grade AP language and composition teacher and virtual English teacher

• Quotable: "To teach the importance of observation, I take my students on walks inside and outside the school to learn how to take in their surroundings and the impact those observations can have,” McCrary said.

Tenille Mehl

• School: Pioneer Elementary, Noble Public Schools

• Grade/subject: Fourth- and fifth-grade school counselor

• Quotable: “Outstanding teachers are chameleons. They are characterized best by their willingness to change, innovate, self-reflect and be present. The biggest reward that I find in teaching is the love that I am able to give and receive,” Mehl said.

Julie Osburn

• School: Lincoln Elementary, Pryor Public Schools

• Grade/subject: Second-grade teacher

• Quotable: "Over the years I have gained a toolbox of ideas that continuously grows, to help learners self-regulate in and out of the classroom. It is so rewarding to work with a learner that has struggled in the past and watch them feel success,” Osburn said.

William Peeper

• School: Cushing High School, Cushing Public Schools

• Grade/subject: 10th- through 12th-grade history teacher

• Quotable: "It is a priority of mine every new school year to develop a considerate and compassionate classroom culture in which we can all learn, grow, be challenged and show support to each other,” Peeper said.

Steven Smith

• School: Life Ready Center, Lawton Public Schools

• Grade/subject: High school art teacher

• Quotable: "My philosophy of teaching art aligns with my philosophy of life. I’m a constructivist. Humans build knowledge by engaging the world and making connections,” Smith said.

Alona Whitebird

• School: Southmoore High School, Moore Public Schools

• Grade/subject: High school social studies teacher

• Quotable: "If I were lucky enough to be named as the state teacher of the year, I would advocate for rebuilding the relationship between public educators, community members and elected officials. Currently, the messaging about education is stripping professional value from teachers and is decreasing public trust in our schools. This must be solved if we are to have a solid path forward for Oklahoma’s students and teachers," Whitebird said

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 12 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalists named