(SPS) — It’s been a school year like none other.
Teachers have had to adjust how they teach to observe COVID protocols at school, provide instruction to students in-person and virtually at the same time, keep students engaged during the snowy Distance Learning days, and so much more.
It’s been a year in which you wouldn’t get much argument if all teachers were labeled as a Teacher of the Year.
Be that as it may, our schools held their traditional process for nominating and selecting the site Teachers of the Year, and these are the individuals who have been recognized by their peers for that honor.
MEGAN HURT
FREEDOM ELEMENTARY
Mrs. Hurt has been teaching in Sapulpa for six years and is currently the Title 1 teacher at Freedom. “I love shaping the lives of children who are the future of our community. I am honored to teach in my hometown and proud to be a Sapulpa Chieftain!”
DEANNA GARDELLA
HOLMES PARK ELEMENTARY
Mrs. Gardella has been a teacher in Sapulpa for 31 years and currently teaches 5th grade at Holmes Park. “I want them [students] to feel like they can take risks without the feel of failure.”
LAURA BEVERLEY
JEFFERSON HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY
Mrs. Beverley is a fourth grade teacher who has been teaching in Sapulpa for four years. “I love my job because I get to see my students everyday.”
JENNIFER HOLT
LIBERTY STEM ACADEMY
Mrs. Holt teaches 3rd grade and is in her 15th year of teaching. She loves getting to build relationships with her students and their families. “Teaching is really where my heart is. There’s nothing better than that.”
ALLISON RUTH
SAPULPA MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mrs. Ruth teaches Art and has been with the middle school for the past six years. “I loved reading and writing. Books take you to all parts of the world and allow your imagination to soar and I’ve always found that so exciting.”
CARL FISHER
BARTLETT ACADEMY
Mr. Fisher has been teaching Science at Bartlett Academy for 15 years. “I love seeing students succeed when they didn’t think they could.”
MARIKA HAEFNER
SAPULPA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Ms. Haefner is the Library/Media Specialist at the junior high and has been a teacher in Sapulpa for 26 years. “I love being able to share my passion. Few practices are as powerful as surrounding students with books and sharing stories of how specific ones touched your heart.”
REBECCA BRASWELL
SAPULPA HIGH SCHOOL
Mrs. Braswell teaches Theater, Speech, and Debate and has been a part of the Chieftain team for 22 years. “I love introducing students to all of the amazing things that can be done in theatre. I love taking them to their first productions and helping them grow in creativity and confidence.”
The District Teacher of the Year will be announced on May 14.
