Last Updated on January 28, 2023, 11:14 AM | Published: January 28, 2023
OKLAHOMA CITY — Teacher of the Year finalists were announced Thursday for Oklahoma City Public Schools. Finalists are now in the running for district Teacher of the Year who will be chosen in the Spring.
Each of the finalists were chosen by a district-level panel from among each school site’s Teacher of the Year. Site Teachers of the Year are chosen by their faculty colleagues.
2023 OKCPS Teacher of the Year Finalists:
- Christopher Lance Cudjoe, Star Spencer Mid-High School
- Sherry Dew, Southeast High School
- Carrie Helm, Belle Isle Enterprise Middle School
- Judith Huerta, Taft Middle School
- Felix Linden, FD Moon Middle School
- Faisal Madni, Shidler Elementary School
- Carsen Moon, Classen SAS High School at Northeast
- Emily Riley, Kaiser Elementary School
- Lisa Ummel-Ingram, Wheeler Middle School\
“Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students and the difference you make in the lives of our young people every single day,” said Superintendent Sean McDaniel. “You are seen and you are appreciated more than words can express.”
The finalists will be recognized at the annual Stars of Education celebration, where the 2023 OKCPS Teacher of the year will be announced. The event will be held in-person on May 4th at the Clara Luper Center for Educational Services.
The Stars of Education event is held each spring to celebrate teachers and outstanding achievement throughout the district.
Finalists will receive cash awards, plus a number of valuable prizes donated by community partners. The winner will then serve as the district’s candidate for Oklahoma’s State Teacher of the Year.
In addition to the announcement of OKCPS Teacher of the Year, awards will also be presented to honorees for exceptional support staff, volunteers and Community Partners of the Year. Two outstanding OKCPS principals, one from an elementary school and one from a secondary school, will receive The Sam and Charolet Shirley Outstanding Principal Awards as well as cash awards.
Mary Mélon-Tully, Foundation President/CEO of Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation spearheads the effort each year to raise money from generous donors to make th awards and ceremony possible.
“The Stars of Education ceremony is one of my favorite days of the year because we get to celebrate our amazing teachers, principals, support staff and volunteers,” Mélon-Tully said.
“OKCPS has such incredible and dedicated teachers,” she continued. “It is truly our honor to recognize them for the life changing work they do and for the difference they are making in the lives of our students every day.”
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
