ADA 鈥� Two East Central University graduates 鈥� Mara Richards and Susan Rindal 鈥� are
two of 12 nominees for the State of Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Award, it was recently
announced.
The state鈥檚 teacher of the year will be announced at the Oklahoma State Fair later
this month in Oklahoma City. The winner will take part in the national teacher of
the year competition and serve as Oklahoma鈥檚 鈥榓mbassador of teaching鈥�, according to
Regional University System of Oklahoma Regent Richard Ogden.
Richards received a master鈥檚 degree in library media from 成人B站 after completing her
bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She teaches
at Durant Middle School in Durant.
成人B站 also graduated Rindal, who earned a master鈥檚 degree in reading education. She
teaches at Vanoss Elementary School in Vanoss.
鈥淎t 成人B站, we have adopted a continuous improvement model that utilizes input from parents,
employers and other stakeholders, as well as assessment data to ensure our programs
are effective,鈥� said Brenda Walling, dean of 成人B站鈥檚 College of Education and Psychology.
鈥淢ara and Susan鈥檚 successes in the school library and classroom show our graduates
are prepared for the challenges of teaching. They continue 成人B站鈥檚 long, proud history
of preparing outstanding teachers.鈥�
Alums that have gone through the 成人B站 program have ultimately been named Oklahoma Teacher
of the Year. They include: Elizabeth Smith, elementary education with a concentration
in physical education, from Byng (1993 成人B站 graduate); Stephanie Canada, health, physical
education major with a concentration in recreation/exercise science, from Shawnee
(1995 成人B站 graduate); George Abshire, math education, from Jenks (1997 成人B站 graduate);
and Pat Kellogg Roller, science educator named teacher of the year in 1978.
Most of this year鈥檚 nominees actually graduated from the Regional University System
of Oklahoma (RUSO) universities, the state鈥檚 traditional teacher education schools.
The Regional University System of Oklahoma is composed of 成人B站, University of Central
Oklahoma, Northeastern State, Northwestern Oklahoma State, Southeastern Oklahoma State
and Southwestern Oklahoma State.
鈥淪even of the 12 nominees earned degrees from one of our six universities,鈥� said Ogden.
鈥淪ince voters included these schools in our constitution as a vital part of the state鈥檚
vision for the future, we have recognized the importance of education and of dynamic
teachers for Oklahoma鈥檚 growth and well-being.鈥�
Some 87 percent of the system鈥檚 graduates stay in Oklahoma and return almost $10 in
benefits for every $1 of state resources spent on the students鈥� education, Ogden said.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 an enviable return on investment. Leading the list of nominees shows the investment
produces great results for the children of our state and the future of our people,鈥�
said Ogden.
Also nominated from RUSO institutions were:
-成人B站-
- Therese Rawlinson, received bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education and master of education degree in reading education from Northeastern State University. She teaches at Jane Phillips Elementary in Bartlesville.
- Gentry Guinn earned bachelor鈥檚 degree in education from Northeastern State and teachers at Porter High School in Porter.
- Tera Landrum received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education from Northeastern State and teaches at Oak Crest Elementary in Broken Arrow.
- Chelsea Roberts earned a master鈥檚 degree in history from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She teaches at Woodward Middle School in Woodward.
- Barbara Bayless received a master鈥檚 degree in reading from the University of Central Oklahoma. She teaches at James Griffith Intermediate School in Choctaw.
-成人B站-