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OSDE announces finalists for Oklahoma’s 2026 Teacher of the Year award

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OSDE announces finalists for Oklahoma’s 2026 Teacher of the Year award


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Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Lindel Fields announced the 10 finalists for the 2026 Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding educators from across the state who demonstrate excellence in teaching, leadership, and service to their school communities.

The winner will be announced at the Teacher of the Year Gala in June.

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“Oklahoma educators are second to none, and these 10 teachers represent the best of the best,” Fields said, per a press release. “I am incredibly proud of these educators. I hope all Oklahomans can join me in celebrating this accomplishment and expressing our support and appreciation for those who dedicate their lives to our students.”

The 10 finalists include four elementary school teachers, three middle school and three high school teachers.

Here are the 10 finalists for the award:

Kasey Bennett, Durant Public Schools

Bennett teaches STEM to kindergartners through fourth graders at Northwest Heights Elementary in Durant. She said one of her most meaningful accomplishments as a teacher was founding the school’s Science Fair/STEM Night.

“What makes this event truly meaningful is its commitment to inclusivity: every student, regardless of background, ability or learning style, has a place to shine,” Bennett said, according to OSDE.

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Keely Flynn, Tulsa Public Schools

Flynn is a physical education teacher at Lindbergh Elementary in Tulsa. She said her favorite thing about teaching is the connections and community she’s built through movement and relationships.

“I’m proud of what we’ve built, but the moments that fuel me most aren’t awards; they’re the everyday reminders that students feel connected,” Flynn said, according to OSDE. “It’s a child counting down the days until their next P.E. class. It is when students are proudly sharing they chose water instead of juice, went on a walk with family, or tried a new food because we talked about balance.”

Tobi Gordon, Moore Public Schools

Gordon is a deaf education teacher for seventh- and eighth-graders at Brink Junior High School in Moore. She said she strives to create a learning environment where deaf students can not only succeed academically and linguistically, but also build confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging.

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“I believe that some of my greatest accomplishments as an educator so far include helping create a school environment that is understanding and accepting of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and one in whichstudents are not simply passed along, but are expected to learn and to be great,” Gordon said, per OSDE.

Tracie Grunewald, Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy

Grunewald is a high school geometry teacher at Oklahoma Virtual High School. She’s worked in education for 18 years and remains convinced that education has the power to change lives.

“I became a teacher because I know firsthand the lasting impact educators can have on students’ lives,” Grunewald told OSDE. “I remain deeply committed to my students, to young people, and to the profession that helped shape who I am today.”

Vanessa Jones, Bethel Public Schools

Jones is a 10th-grade biology teacher at Bethel High School. She described her approach to teaching science by engaging students in the process of discovery rather than telling them what they need to know. Jones has been in the industry for the past 20 years.

“I want (students) to see science as a tool for understanding the world, solving problems, and contributing thoughtfully to society,” Jones said, according to OSDE. “I emphasize that science is not a static body of facts to be memorized, but rather, a study of dynamic and evolving processes.”

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Serena Neely, Shawnee Public Schools

Neely is a first-grade teacher at Will Rogers Elementary in Shawnee. She sees teaching as a larger mission to serve, inspire and empower the next generation of learners.

“I got into the education field for the love of my children… and convenience,” Neely said, per OSDE. “I quickly learned that education isn’t convenient at all. Education is urgent. I live and breathe education for the love of all children: mine, yours, and future generations yet to be impacted by encounters, big or small.”

LeeAnn Pressler, Bartlesville Public Schools

Pressler teaches middle school special education at Central Middle School in Bartlesville. She’s been a teacher for over a decade and said she’s learned that sometimes the path we resist most becomes the path that shapes us the most.

“Middle school is a complicated, messy, beautiful stage of life,” Pressler told OSDE. “I never thought I would find my purpose here. But I did. And I found a career that reminds me, again and again, that impact is built one connection at a time.”

Ellie Pryor, Woodward Public Schools

Pryor is a library media and literacy skills and research at three elementary schools within Woodward Public Schools: Cedar Heights, Highland Park and Horace Mann Elementary. She follows the philosophy that everything in life should be dynamic, ever-growing and ever-changing.

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“The beauty of teaching lies in understanding how humans grow, change and learn, and crafting learning experiences that reflect this understanding,” Pryor said, according to OSDE. “I strive to create experiences for my students that will stay with them for a lifetime.”

Elizabeth Reed, Owasso Public Schools

Reed is an eighth-grade advanced English language arts teacher at Owasso Eighth Grade Center. She credits her career to a former educator who believed in her and shaped the possibilities that led her to the classroom.

“I teach with the understanding that growth rarely looks perfect up close,” Reed said per OSDE. “My greatest accomplishments occur in small, micro-moments each day and throughout the year when a student’s eyes light up, reflecting understanding.”

Mary Tyree, Alva Public Schools

Tyree teaches physical science, engineering, aeronautics and crime scene for all grades at Alva High School. She started the aeronautics program, the TSA chapter and the esports club at the school, in addition to serving as the cross-country coach.

“With each of these programs I mentioned, I did not seek out what only interested me but rather found a need, listened to the students, and provided what they needed to succeed,” Tyree told OSDE. “I am deeply passionate about listening to what our youth need and helping them find a way.”

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Isa Almeida is a trending reporter for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Isa? She can be reached at ialmeida@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @ialmeidasports. Support Isa’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.



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Woman hospitalized after house fire in northeast Oklahoma City

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Woman hospitalized after house fire in northeast Oklahoma City


Authorities say one woman was taken to the hospital following an early morning house fire in northeast Oklahoma City.

Around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Oklahoma City firefighters were called to a house fire near N.E. 13th St. and Missouri.

When crews arrived, they found the victim on the front porch of the home.

“When they got off the rig and initiated offensive fire attack, found one victim on the front porch. Appeared she was maybe suffering from smoke inhalation. The fire was relatively small. It was contained to one bedroom in the back. The patient was transported, was treated here, and then transported to OU,” said Batt. Chief Brad Smith, with the Oklahoma City Fire Department.

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Officials said the fire originated in the back of the house, in a back bedroom near the closet.

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However, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.



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Bode Sparrow commits Friday: why BYU is Oklahoma’s biggest threat for the Davis star

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Bode Sparrow commits Friday: why BYU is Oklahoma’s biggest threat for the Davis star


Kaysville (Utah) Davis athlete Bode Sparrow cut his list to four back in May and has now locked in his commitment date.

Sparrow is a tremendous player on both sides of the ball and checks in as the No. 77 player nationally in the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services.

He will make his long awaited college choice this Friday, May 25 from a final four of BYU, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah.

In handicapping this race, two schools jump out for us. The first is Oklahoma. I put a commit prediction in for the Sooners back in March and there was some buzz that he could commit around that time.

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Sparrow decided to hold off making an early decision in order to take his official visits. Oklahoma was the first visit locked in and for awhile, the only visit that was set, giving even more credence to the Sooners being the team to beat.

“They really believe in me and have a vision for me there,” Sparrow told us after his official visit. “They show me so much love and I have such great relationships with the coaches there.

“I also really like the town of Norman and the plan in place for me from a safety/scheme standpoint. They really have everything I’m looking for in a school. Brent Venables is great, a defensive minded head coach and I just love the all around fit.”

Sparrow followed up his visit to OU with trips to Oregon, Utah and BYU. The Ducks made a big impression and should be considered a dark horse. They are easily one of the toughest schools to recruit against and it would surprise no one if Sparrow ends in Eugene.

Saying that, the school that is gaining a lot of momentum and looks to be Oklahoma’s biggest challenger is BYU. For months we talked to some close to Sparrow, college coaches and trainers who all said the same thing, ‘don’t rule out BYU in the end.’

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No one has recruited Sparrow longer than the Cougs. He has been on campus more than any other school, he’s strong in his LDS faith and he has a great connection with the BYU staff including head coach Kalani Sitake.

BYU was able to get the final visit over the weekend and there is some quiet confidence in Provo as well as from a few other recruits/commits who were also on the visit. With the church connection, we’ve long said in a head to head battle, BYU is very tough to beat, especially for an in-state player.

Saying that, there are still Sooner commits we’ve talked to convinced Sparrow is still headed to Norman. That’s why this recruitment has become one of the more fascinating ones to follow this cycle, it’s one of those rare instances where days away from a decision, it could still go in multiple directions.

For now, my commit prediction remains on Oklahoma but BYU is closing fast and this one close to a toss up with a decision quickly approaching.

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OHP remembers K-9 for protecting countless lives during career

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OHP remembers K-9 for protecting countless lives during career


Officials with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are remembering a dedicated K-9 officer who passed away earlier this month.

K-9 Dak was born in 2014 and began serving with the OHP in 2015.

Throughout his distinguished career, officials say Dak’s exceptional instincts made a significant impact on public safety across the state.

During his career, Dak was instrumental in the seizure of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana, 46 pounds of cocaine, 151 pounds of methamphetamine, and 99 pounds of fentanyl.

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“These remarkable accomplishments represent countless lives protected and communities made safer through Dak’s service,” OHP wrote.

Dak worked his final shift on June 3 before peacefully passing away from natural causes on June 7.

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“More than his statistics and accomplishments, Dak was a loyal partner, trusted teammate, and beloved member of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. His legacy will live on through the work he accomplished, the bond he shared with his handler, and the many lives he touched throughout his career,” OHP said.

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