Published: November 05, 2009 11:26 am      

Schools choose site teachers of the year

EDMOND — Each year Edmond teachers name a representative of their school who best exemplifies the qualities their co-workers think an outstanding teacher should have.

Twenty-four Edmond Public School teachers were named Site Teacher of the Year for the 2009-10 school year by their fellow teachers.

“Each teacher is asked to complete a portfolio that is due on Feb. 19,” said Brenda Lyons, assistant superintendent of secondary education. “On Feb. 22 through March 5 the Teacher of the Year Selection Committee will review the portfolios and select the top third as finalists.”

The District Professional Development Committee oversees the process for selecting the Teacher of the Year. Members of the committee are equally represented across the district.

“The committee is predominately made up of teachers, but we also have administrators, parents and someone from higher education, usually a representative from the University of Central Oklahoma,” said Linda DeSpain, associate superintendent of education services.

Lyons, Executive Director of Elementary Education Lynne Rowley, and Superintendent David Goin also are asked to read the portfolios.

“The applications are ranked in order by using a rubric and at this time six or seven applicants are decided on,” DeSpain said.

In addition to the district-level Professional Development Committee, two school board readers are invited to participate in the interview process, DeSpain said. The final decision is made by secret ballot.

Interviews with the finalists are scheduled for March 23. The winner will be announced at the Celebration of Excellence in the spring of 2010.

“Every year it is an exciting process,” DeSpain said. “We are always proud of our teachers. It is amazing when we read their portfolios, and see their involvement with our students and the community. It is always a great experience to be a part of the project.”

Site Teachers of the Year for 2009-10 include the following elementary teachers: Jeri Doane, fifth-grade, Angie Debo; Natalie Tracy, fifth-grade, Centennial; Kari Takagishi, first-grade, Charles Haskell; Susan Shoemaker, third-grade, Chisholm; Brenda Miller, third-grade, Clegern/Clyde Howell; and Pam Commons, first-grade, Cross Timbers.

Additional elementary site teachers include: David Nichols, fifth-grade, Ida Freeman; Kristen Jacobs, first-grade, John Ross; Mary Foreman, first-grade, Northern Hills; Amy David, fourth-grade, Orvis Risner; Jennifer Donahue, second-grade, Russell Dougherty; Cathy Sudduth, fifth-grade, Sunset; Miranda Lawrence, pre-kindergarten, Washington Irving; Nora Hurley, fifth-grade, West Field; and Katy Geist, fifth-grade, Will Rogers.

Middle School site teachers include: Chris Cunningham, Tech Ed, Central; Sherry Kettler, eighth-grade English, Cheyenne; Katie Pavlovich, seventh-grade Spanish, Cimarron; Jaime Graham, eighth-grade, special education math and reading, Sequoyah; and Cathy Lyon, eighth-grade history, Summit.

The three high schools are represented by Scott Haselwood, algebra, Memorial; Jill Bloyd, math, North; and Melody Wright, English I and ACE, Santa Fe. Lynette Brown, English, is representing Boulevard Academy.