2018 Oklahoma Teacher Of The Year Finalists Announced

Twelve finalists for Oklahoma’s next Teacher of the Year have been announced by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE).

All finalists are teachers of the year for their districts and were selected after their application packets were reviewed by a panel; including educators, members of the business community, legislators and nonprofit partners.

The 2018 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year will be revealed Sept. 19 in a ceremony at the Oklahoma State Fair Park.

2018 Oklahoma Teacher of The Year Finalists:

Jill Andrews teaches high school English at Claremore High School in Claremore Public Schools. She has been an educator for 19 years and has held her current position for 12 years.

Neeli Boyd teaches first grade at Wiley Post Elementary School in Putnam City Schools. She has been an educator for eight years and has held her current position for two years.

Sarah Carter teaches mathematics at Drumright High School in Drumright Public Schools. She has been an educator for five years and has held her current position for five years.

Rob Davis teaches history at Yukon High School in Yukon Public Schools. He has been an educator for 15 years and has held his current position for three years.

Betty Deen teaches English at Oologah Middle School in Oologah-Talala Public Schools. She has been an educator for 24 years and has held her current position for 19 years

Donna Gradel teaches science at Broken Arrow High School in Broken Arrow Public Schools. She has been an educator for 29 years and has held her current position for 21 years.

Chad Harper teaches STEM at Mustang High School in Mustang Public Schools. He has been an educator for 18 years and has held his current position for 18 years.

Janet Johnson teaches science at Clyde Boyd Middle School in Sand Springs Schools. She has been an educator for 19 years and has held her current position for 16 years.

Dionne Liebl teaches English at Deer Creek High School in Deer Creek Schools. She has been an educator for 17 years and has held her current position for five years.

Shala Marshall teaches Spanish at Jenks High School in Jenks Public Schools. She has been an educator for 16 years and has held her current position for four years.

Christine Mueller teaches band at Moore Central Junior High School in Moore Public Schools. She has been an educator for 23 years and has held her current position for 18 years.

Laura Smith teaches band and music at Byng Elementary, Byng Junior High and Byng High School in Byng Public Schools. She has been an educator for 15 years and has held her current position for nine years.

Four "Rising Star" teachers were also named by OSDE:

Colby McGee teaches agriculture at Allen Public Schools. He has been an educator for two years and has held his current position for two years.

Haley Price teaches English at Newcastle High School in Newcastle Public Schools. She has been an educator for four years and has held her current position for four years.

Jessi Ross teaches second grade at Mooreland Elementary School in Mooreland Public Schools. She has been an educator for seven years and has held her current position for five years.

Madison Wingate teaches pre-kindergarten at Pierce Elementary School in Oklahoma City Public Schools. She has been an educator for four years and has held her current position for four years.