Sparks Named District Teacher of the Year

Oklahoma City, OK – It was all tears and smiles as Heather Sparks, Taft Middle School, was named Oklahoma City Public Schools’ District Teacher of the Year at last night’s 7th annual Stars of Education celebration at Douglass High School.

Sparks is the epitome of teaching excellence. Her non-traditional approach to teaching 8th grade math engages students in real-life scenarios that employ math. Rather than receiving homework assignments, students are given warm-up problems to work on as a group when they enter the class. Students come to a consensus about answers and then compare those answers to the other groups. The class then takes part in a mathematical discussion or investigation triggered by a story or question posed by Sparks. Students are given challenges like designing the “ultimate” apartment. Relevant mini-lessons naturally occur as Sparks helps guide students to discover the mathematical formulas they will need to complete the challenge.

“My creativity and passion for my work help me seek out and design lessons and activities that will capture student interest while assisting them in learning new concepts,” explained Sparks.

Her lessons have not only captured the imagination of her students, they’ve also intrigued her fellow teachers. It’s not unusual to find a teacher sitting in on Sparks’ class to witness Sparks’ innovative approach. It’s something Sparks welcomes. She is committed to mentoring teachers. In addition to those who visit her classroom, Sparks mentors teachers new to the profession and those pursuing National Board Certification.

Sparks’ deep commitment to teaching extends beyond the classroom. At Taft Middle School, she serves as Eight Grade Chair, Math Department Co-Chair and Team Chair. She also serves on the Faculty Advisory Committee and represents math on the Teacher Academic Leadership Committee and the Title I Committee. Sparks serves as a facilitator for Schools Attuned and Oklahoma Teachers Improving Mathematics in Middle School (OTIMMS). She also helped to design the leadership course component for OTIMMS.

As District Teacher of the Year, Sparks will represent the Oklahoma City Public Schools District in the Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year competition.

Last night’s Stars of Education 2008 also recognized John Thompson, who teaches world history, black studies, geography and government at Oklahoma Centennial High School, as first runner-up for District Teacher of the Year. Andra Speerbrecher, who teaches special education at Johnson Elementary, was honored as the second runner-up.

In recognition for their contributions in creating outstanding volunteer and resource support for Oklahoma City Public Schools, Devon Energy, INTEGRIS Health and Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City received Perfect Partnership awards. Devon Energy partners with Mark Twain Elementary. INTEGRIS Health partners with Dunbar Elementary, Fillmore Elementary and Western Village Academy. Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City partners with Westwood Elementary.

Terrific Tutor awards recognize individuals who donate their time as tutors and mentors. This year’s honorees were Cynthia Harrison, Whiz Kids volunteer at Gatewood Elementary; Tony and Marian Moon, Devon Energy volunteers at Mark Twain Elementary; Phyllis Slayter, Whiz Kids volunteer at Gatewood Elementary; and Willard Wilson, community volunteer at Douglass High School.

Super Support Staff honors went to Linda Brasuell, Monroe Elementary cafeteria manager; Donna Gatewood, Monroe Elementary media specialist; Lisa Pruitt, Cleveland Elementary principal’s secretary; Teresa Sneed, Monroe Elementary secretary; and Wanda Thompson, Capitol Hill High School principal’s secretary.

Jennifer Dawn Tieu, Classen School of Advanced Studies, and Melissa Tran, Classen School of Advanced Studies, received $1,000 Classen STARS Scholarships. STARS Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 were awarded to Laney Hamilton, John Marshall High School; Guillermo Lopez, U.S. Grant High School; and Laura Walters, Classen School of Advanced Studies. Alondra Velasco, Northwest Classen High School, received a $1,000 Personal Best Scholarship. The new Kenneth Donald Burke Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 was awarded to DeJuan Naff, Northwest Classen High School.

Stars of Education 2008: A Celebration of Those Who Make a Difference was presented by the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and Oklahoma City Public Schools.

The event was 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.