Stars of Education 2008 Honors the Best and the Brightest

Oklahoma City, OK - The best and brightest educators, support staff, students, partnerships and tutors will be recognized for their outstanding achievements at the 7th annual Stars of Education celebration at Douglass High School on February 28, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.

Presented by the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and Oklahoma City Public Schools, Stars of Education 2008: A Celebration of Those Who Make a Difference will crown the 2008-2009 District Teacher of the Year.  The candidates for District Teacher of the Year include creative and imaginative instructors selected by their peers to be honored for their commitment to children and excellence in education. 

This year’s District Teacher of the Year finalists are Debbie Adam, Buchanan Elementary; John Allen, Kaiser Elementary; Shelly Campbell, John Marshall High School; Rachael Lehman, Quail Creek Elementary; Linda Meier, Belle Isle Enterprise Middle School; Heather Sparks, Taft Middle School; Andra Speerbrecher, Johnson Elementary; John Thompson, Oklahoma Centennial High School; and Petra Woodard, Northeast Academy.

Stars of Education 2008 will also acknowledge the district’s exceptional educators who have achieved National Board Certification as well as award Great Idea Team Grants.  Each grant, of up to $5,000 from the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, is given to fund innovative projects designed to inspire and motivate students. 

Super Support Staff honors will be presented to those behind-the-scenes individuals nominated by their co-workers and supervisors for superior job performance, willingness to accept additional responsibilities and dedication to students. 

Super Support Staff nominees for this year are Linda Brasuell, Monroe Elementary; Diane Byrd, Oklahoma City Public Schools’ Central Administration; Donna Gatewood, Monroe Elementary; Rebecca Guitierrez, Van Buren Elementary; Betty Johnson, Prarie Queen Elementary; Lisa Pruitt, Cleveland Elementary; Wanda Pryor, Oklahoma City Public Schools’ Central Administration; Karen Sleeper, Star Spencer High School; Karen Smith, Eugene Field Elementary; Teresa Sneed, Monroe Elementary; Wanda Thompson, Capitol Hill High School; Maria Violette, Parmelee Elementary; Gerri Walsh, Johnson Elementary.

The Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation is set to award $1,000 scholarships during the evening.  Student scholarship winners are selected for their academic achievement as well as their dedication to their school and community. 

Community organizations and corporations who have created outstanding support for our schools represent the nominees for the evening’s Perfect Partnerships.  Stars of Education 2008 will also recognize individual merit by honoring five Terrific Tutors.

Perfect Partnership nominees and their partner schools are American Fidelity Group, Buchanan Elementary; Covenant Presbyterian Church, Ridgeview Elementary; Devon Energy, Mark Twain Elementary; Integris HEALTH, Dunbar Elementary, Fillmore Elementary and Western Village Academy; Life Change Ballroom, Madison Elementary; Oklahoma State University-OKC, Westwood Elementary; and Portland Avenue Baptist Church, Buchanan Elementary.

This year’s tutor and mentor nominees are Cynthia Harrison, Whiz Kids; Linda Hollman, OSU-OKC; Nancy Kimberling, community volunteer; Tony and Marian Moon, Devon Energy; Phyllis Slayter, Whiz Kids; Willard Wilson, community volunteer; and Janie Zander, community volunteer.

Stars of Education 2008 is sponsored by Independent Insurance Agents Association of
Greater Oklahoma City, Cox Communications, Crowe & Dunlevy, Devon Energy, Pro Events, The Oklahoman, AT&T Oklahoma, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, INTEGRIS Health, OGE Energy Corp., Waste Connections of Oklahoma, BancFirst and Quad/Graphics.

Stars of Education 2008 begins at 5:30 p.m. with a reception followed by an awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in the Douglass High School auditorium, 900 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Oklahoma City.  For more information about Stars of Education 2008 or to RSVP, please call (405) 879-2007.