12 top teachers up for 2010 honor
By Sandy Garrett, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Friday, July 17, 2009

   With a combined 167 years of experience and more than 20 degrees, the 12 finalists for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year represent a small sampling of the high quality educators found in classrooms across our state.
   On Thursday, July 16, I had the honor of announcing this year's finalists, who were escorted across the stage by their school superintendents before a crowd of nearly 3,000 Oklahoma school leaders at the annual Leadership conference in Oklahoma City. 
   This spring, locally selected Teachers of the Year from across the state submitted portfolios and two finalists from each of the six regions of our state were chosen by a group of educators and parents representing every region.  
   The 2009-2010 finalists have diverse backgrounds and come from small and large, rural and urban schools.  They represent core subject areas from elementary to high school level.    
   Here is a list of the finalists:
Northwest Region:
* Russell Randolph, National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) candidate who teaches geometry and pre-Advanced Placement geometry at Mustang Mid-High School. 
* Kayleen Browning, teaches fifth grade social studies, spelling and writing at Skyview Elementary School in Yukon.
Tulsa County Region:
* Lisa Seay, a NBCT, who teaches sixth grade science, pre-Advanced Placement science and Gifted and Talented at Clyde Boyd Middle School in Sand Springs. 
* Brian Grimm, teaches English and pre-Advanced Placement English at Will Rogers High School in Tulsa.
Northeast Region:
* Jennifer Daftari, teaches fifth grade science at Jay Upper Elementary School.
* Rusty Sellars, teaches physical science and chemistry at Oklahoma Union Public Schools in South Coffeyville.
Southwest Region:
* Dr. Janise McIntyre, a NBCT, who teaches senior English and “Reading for Pleasure” at Elgin High School. 
* Mary Pace, a NBCT, who teaches seventh grade English at Whittier Middle School in Norman. 
Oklahoma County Region:
* Kristy Van Dorn, a NBCT, who teaches eighth grade science at Deer Creek Middle School. 
* Jennifer Robinson, a NBCT, who teaches French at Classen School of Advanced Studies in Oklahoma City.
Southeast Region:
* Leahna West, a NBCT, who teaches Spanish at Byng Junior High School. 
* Stacy Culbreath Shepherd, teaches freshman English and Choctaw language at Durant High School.
   On September 22, at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City, I will have the honor of announcing the winner chosen by a statewide committee of business and community leaders.
   Our Teacher of the Year, who serves as the Oklahoma Ambassador for Teaching, will receive more than $60,000 in cash and prizes, plus a car for a year and will also represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
    In addition, all Oklahoma Teachers of the Year will be honored by the State Fair Board, Masonic Fraternity and numerous other sponsors from the private, public and corporate sectors.
   Each of this year’s finalists has the passion and drive it takes to be an innovative and effective educator in today’s classroom. 
   The selection committee will no doubt have a tough time narrowing the field down to just one teacher.  All of the finalists will proudly represent the outstanding professional educators throughout our state.
Read to a child – the benefits last a lifetime!
       




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EDITORS: For more information, contact Shelly Hickman, State Department of Education, (405) 521-3371.