Published: March 10, 2006 01:10 pm      

6 compete for EPS ‘Teacher of the Year’

Four elementary school instructors are among the six finalists for the Edmond Public Schools 2006 Teacher of the Year award.

The finalists for the award are Sherri Rowley, kindergarten, Cross Timbers Elementary School, Sandra Owens, kindergarten, Northern Hills Elementary School, Raylene Harrison, Title 1, Orvis Risner Elementary School, Cindy Young, fifth grade, Washington Irving Elementary School, Brandon Page, social studies, Central Middle School and Greg Oppel, social studies, Memorial High School.

Rowley, in her present position for four years, has 17 years total experience as an educator.

In addition to being the Cross Timbers teacher of the year, Rowley received the Five Years Distinguished Service Award in 2005 and the Cross Timbers Crystal Apple Award in 2003.

She also was named teacher of the year at Fillmore Elementary School in Oklahoma City for the 1994-95 school year.

Rowley said she is honored and excited to be a finalist for the award, which she sees as a team award, sentiments shared equally by her colleagues.

Rowley said at the kindergarten level it is rewarding to see the spark of learning light up in the face of a child.

“Many children learn to recognize their own names, blend their first words, or even read an entire sentence,” she said. “I feel so privileged to help students capture the love of reading.”

Owens, in her present position for 16 years, has 29 years total experience as an educator.

In addition to being the Northern Hills teacher of the year, Owens received the Wylie Independent School District Excellence Award in 1985 and the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Teacher Appreciation Award in 2001.

Owens said to represent teachers on any level is a privilege. She said the most rewarding part of teaching that everyday is an adventure.

“My kindergarten students find joy in life and in learning,” she said. “Their enthusiasm is contagious.”

Young, in her present position for 29 years, has 33 years total experience as an educator.

In addition to being the Washington Irving teacher of the year, Young was a Great Expectations model teacher in 2005, recipient of the Orphan Train Society Charles Loring Brace National Teacher Award in 2003 and recipient of the Junior Achievement Decade of Service Award in 1999.

Young said she is fortunate to teach with the best educators in Oklahoma.

“The most rewarding thing about teaching to me is being with my students every day and watching their eyes light up when they learn a new skill or concept,” Young said.

While many of her students have gone on to become professionals in their own right, Young said the students have made a difference in her life.

Page, in his present position for five years, has 12 years total experience as an educator.

In addition to being Central’s teacher of the year, Page has served on numerous committees, been a team leader in several capacities and is the school’s assistant cross country coach.

Page said it is humbling to think he is a finalist for the award.

“We have so many good teachers in Edmond,” he said. “I would never put myself above them.”

Page said teaching, coaching and interacting with his students has given him an opportunity to pass on what he learned from his teachers growing up.

Oppel, in his present position for eight years, has nine years total experience as an educator.

In addition to being Central’s teacher of the year, Oppel was accepted as a reader for the Advanced Placement U.S. History test for the summer of 2006, named president-elect of the Oklahoma Council for History Education for 2004-06 and became a National Board Certified teacher in 2004.

Oppel said he was surprised to learn that he was a finalist.

“I know many of the other candidates and work with many of them on district committees so I know how good they are,” Oppel said. “I’m proud to represent Memorial High School.”

Harrison, in her present position for eight years, has 17 years total experience as an educator.

In addition to being the Orvis Risner teacher of the year, when Harrison was with Choctaw-Nicoma Park Public Schools she was the Indian Meridian Elementary School teacher of the year for the 1993-94 school year.

Harrison, a reading specialist, said she can’t imagine herself being anything but a teacher.

“The most rewarding part of being a teacher is the satisfaction of seeing a child’s face when it all comes together,” she said.