Oklahoma

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

Published

4 weeks ago

February 12, 2026

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

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.

“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.

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.

“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.”

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.

“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.”

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.

Source link

Click to comment

Oklahoma

Oklahoma adds explosive 4-star commit on offense

Published

3 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma adds explosive 4-star commit on offense appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 college football season is still months away from kicking off, but coaches are already hitting the College football Recruiting trail for players in the class of 2027. Oklahoma has already landed some talented players.

Now, they have added another solid player, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3.

Athlete Greydon Howell, rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals, has committed to Oklahoma. Howell is from Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and chose to go to the Sooners over Oklahoma State, Miami, Penn State, Stanford, and Arkansas. He visited Oklahoma over the weekend, attending a recruiting event.

The 4-star recruit has been a dominant force at his high school in the sports landscape. He plays football, basketball, baseball, and track. This past season, he played quarterback for his team, passing for 2,817 yards with 27 scores, while adding 1,514 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. He is expected to play wide receiver for the Sooners.

Rivals ranks him as the 13th best athlete in the nation, and 425th overall. Still, other ranking services have him lower. 247Sports has Howell ranked as a three-star player and the 25th best athlete in the nation.

Regardless, it is another major signing for Brent Venables and the Sooners. They have 19 commitments so far, and have the number one-ranked class for 2027 according to 247Sports. They have been great at keeping in-state guys at Oklahoma. Kaeden Penny is the top player in the state for the class of 2027, and he is going to Oklahoma. Cooper Hackett is ranked third in the state and is also a future Sooner.

The Sooners open their 2026 campaign on September 5 against Utep.

Oklahoma Sooners land 4-star safety over Florida, Georgia

Oklahoma lands top tight end over Kentucky, Notre Dame

Source link

Oklahoma

OSSAA unveils Class 6A-2A basketball state tournament brackets, schedule

Published

16 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

OSSAA unveils Class 6A-2A basketball state tournament brackets, schedule

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association has released the brackets for Classes 6A-2A state basketball tournaments which run March 10-14.

Games will be played at OG&E Coliseum, Lloyd Noble Center, Carl Albert and Yukon.

All championship game will be played at OG&E Coliseum with Class 6A, 4A boys and girls on Friday and the others on Saturday.

Action begins Tuesday with Class 4A quarterfinals at OG&E Coliseum.

Here is the full schedule.

Order book on Oklahoma HS basketball at ‘The Big House’

Class 6A Boys

Wednesday’s Games

At Lloyd Noble Center

Norman vs. Tulsa Union, 4:30 p.m.

Owasso vs. Southmoore, 6 p.m.

Putnam North vs. Piedmont, 7:30 p.m.

Mustang vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 9 p.m.

Thursday’s Games

At Carl Albert

Norman-Tulsa Union winner vs. Owasso-Southmoore winner, 5:30 p.m.

Mustang-Edmond Santa Fe winner vs. Putnam North-Piedmont winner, 7 p.m.

Friday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 6 p.m.

Class 6A Girls

Wednesday’s Games

At Lloyd Noble Center

Putnam North vs. Edmond North, 9 a.m.

Choctaw vs. Bixby, 10:30 a.m.

Mustang vs. Bartlesville, Noon

Muskogee vs. Westmoore, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday’s Games

At Carl Albert

Mustang-Bartlesville winner vs. Muskogee-Westmoore winner, 1 p.m.

Choctaw-Bixby winner vs. Putnam North-Edmond North, 2:30 p.m.

Friday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 1 p.m.

Class 5A Boys

Thursday’s Games

At Lloyd Noble Center

Tulsa Booker T. Washington vs. Carl Albert, 4:30 p.m.

Del City vs. Collinsville, 6 p.m.

Newcastle vs. Tulsa East Central, 7:30 p.m.

Tulsa Memorial vs. Midwest City, 9 p.m.

Friday’s Games

At Lloyd Noble Center

Del City-Collinsville winner vs. Tulsa Booker T. Washington-Carl Albert winner, 2 p.m.

Newcastle-Tulsa East Central winner vs. Tulsa Memorial-Midwest City winner, 5 p.m.

Saturday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 6:45 p.m.

Class 5A Girls

Thursday’s Games

At Lloyd Noble Center

Newcastle vs. Glenpool, 9 a.m.

Tulsa Booker T. Washington vs. Bishop McGuinness, 10:30 a.m.

Del City vs. Shawnee, Noon

Tulsa East Central vs. Carl Albert, 1:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games

At Lloyd Noble Center

Del City-Shawnee winner vs. Tulsa East Central-Carl Albert winner, 11 a.m.

Newcastle-Glenpool winner vs. Tulsa Booker T. Washington-Bishop McGuinness winner, 12:30 p.m.

Saturday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 1:30 p.m.

Class 4A Boys

Tuesday’s Games

At OG&E Coliseum

Blanchard vs. Cascia Hall, 4:30 p.m.

North Rock Creek vs. Fort Gibson, 6 p.m.

Catoosa vs. Mount St. Mary, 7:30 p.m.

Douglass vs. Bethany, 9 p.m.

Thursday’s Games

At Yukon High School

Douglass-Bethany winner vs. Catoosa-Mount St. Mary winner, 1 p.m.

North Rock Creek-Fort Gibson winner vs. Blanchard-Cascia Hall winner, 3 p.m.

Friday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 2:45 p.m.

Class 4A Girls

Tuesday’s Games

At OG&E Coliseum

McLoud vs. Harrah, 9 a.m.

Lincoln Christian vs. Kingfisher, 10:30 a.m.

Weatherford vs. Locust Grove, Noon

Douglass vs. Broken Bow, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday’s Games

At Yukon High School

Lincoln Christian-Kingfisher winner vs. McLoud-Harrah winner, 6 p.m.

Douglass-Broken Bow winner vs. Weatherford-Locust Grove, 8 p.m.

Friday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 7:45 p.m.

Class 3A Boys

Wednesday’s Games

At OG&E Coliseum

Kingston vs. Wyandotte, 4:30 p.m.

Millwood vs. Community Christian, 6 p.m.

Eufaula vs. Roland, 7:30 p.m.

Heritage Hall vs. Rejoice Christian, 9 p.m.

Friday’s Games

At Lloyd Noble Center

Millwood-Community winner vs. Kingston-Wyandotte winner, 6:30 p.m.

Heritage Hall-Rejoice Christian winner vs. Eufaula-Roland, 8 p.m.

Saturday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 5 p.m.

Class 3A Girls

Wednesday’s Games

At OG&E Coliseum

Washington vs. Metro Christian, 9 a.m.

Spiro vs. Alva/Freedom, 10:30 a.m.

Anadarko vs. Adair, Noon

Sequoyah Tahlequah vs. Millwood, 1:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games

At OG&E Coliseum

Washington-Metro Christian winner vs. Spiro-Alva winner, 10 a.m.

Sequoyah Tahlequah-Millwood winner vs. Anadarko-Adair winner, 11:30 a.m.

Saturday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 10 a.m.

Class 2A Boys

Thursday’s Games

At OG&E Coliseum

Dale vs. Vanoss, 4:30 p.m.

Oklahoma Christian Academy vs. Latta, 6 p.m.

Fairland vs. Riverside, 7:30 p.m.

Hartshorne vs. Wewoka, 9 p.m.

Friday’s Games

At Yukon High School

Dale-Vanoss winner vs. OCA-Latta winner, 3 p.m.

Hartshorne-Wewoka winner vs. Fairland-Riverside winner, 5 p.m.

Saturday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 8:30 p.m.

Class 2A Girls

Thursday’s Games

At OG&E Coliseum

Howe vs. Riverside, 9 a.m.

Hartshorne vs. Fairview, 10:30 a.m.

Vanoss vs. Dale, Noon

Latta vs. Merritt, 1:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games

At Yukon High School

Howe-Riverside winner vs. Hartshorne-Fairview winner, 10 a.m.

Vanoss-Dale winner vs. Latta-Merritt winner, Noon

Saturday’s Game

At OG&E Coliseum

Championship, 11:45 a.m.

Source link

Oklahoma

Nigel Pack, Xzayvier Brown combine for 44 points, lead Oklahoma past Texas in overtime

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Nigel Pack, Xzayvier Brown combine for 44 points, lead Oklahoma past Texas in overtime

AUSTIN — Nijel Pack scored 23 points, Xzayvier Brown added 21 points, and Oklahoma beat Texas 88-85 in overtime in the final regular season game of the season for the two Southeastern Conference sides.

Pack was 7 of 14 from the field and 3 of 7 behind the arc. He scored nine points during a 14-2 second-half run that turned a tie game into a 12-point lead for the Sooners (17-14, 7-11) with fewer than seven minutes remaining. Brown was 8-of-18 shooting with four steals and led with 12 in the first half. Tae Davis added 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Longhorns (18-13, 9-9) held a 40-36 lead at halftime. They were led by Jordan Pope’s 30 points on an inefficient 8-of-25 shooting but was 7 of 18 from behind the arc. Dailyn Swain added 18 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Tramon Mark had 17 points. Matas Vokietaitis had 14 points and six rebounds.

The Sooners led by six with 36 seconds to go in regulation, but fouled Mark twice, including on a 3-point attempt that followed a turnover. Mark made all five free throws to make it a one-point game with 15 seconds left.

A pair of free throws from Davis put the Sooners up three. But Brown fouled Pope on a 3-point attempt, and Pope made all three free throws to tie the game and send it to overtime.

Pope had five in overtime and Mark three for the Longhorns, but Derrion Reid’s five points for the Sooners, including a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left, put the game out of reach.

Texas lost four of their final five games to finish as the No. 10 seed in the SEC tournament.