Annual event celebrates Teacher of the Year finalists, educators and staff across the district.
Photos can be found here.
May 9, 2025
Left to right: OKCPS Superintendent Dr. Jamie Polk, 2025 OKCPS District Teacher of the Year Erika Vasquez, OKCPS Foundation President and CEO Kendra S. Horn
OKLAHOMA CITY — Erika Vasquez was named the 2025 Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) District Teacher of the Year during the Stars of Education event on May 8, an annual celebration hosted by the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation in partnership with OKCPS. The event honors outstanding educators, principals and support staff who make a lasting impact on the district’s students, schools and future.
Vasquez, who serves as the dance director at Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast, was honored for her commitment to student empowerment through creativity, cultural expression and excellence in arts education. With 14 years of service in OKCPS and a doctorate on the horizon, Vasquez has built a legacy of inspiring students on stage and in life.
In her remarks, Vasquez spoke to the heart of teaching and its deeper purpose, stating:
“As educators, we are cultivators. We are creators. We design moments of access, moments that offer our students a seat at the table and allow them to design the kind of voice they want to have in the world.”
Faisal Madni, a physical education teacher at Wheeler Middle School, was named first runner-up. Jaclyn Brown, an English language arts teacher at Southeast High School, was named second runner-up.
The finalists included:
- Jaclyn Brown – English language arts teacher at Southeast High School
- Kuwantu Cammon – art teacher at Britton Elementary School
- Jessica Catalano – art teacher at Quail Creek Elementary School
- Michele Contreras – Strings teacher at Classen SAS Middle School
- Faisal Madni – physical education teacher at Wheeler Middle School
- Destiny Phillips – third grade teacher at Van Buren Elementary School
- Justine Ritter – special education English teacher at Emerson South Mid-High School
- Isaiah Sharp – fifth grade science teacher at Southeast Middle School
The District Teacher of the Year is selected through a competitive process among school site Teachers of the Year, that includes a written portfolio, classroom lesson video and in-person interview. Finalists are scored on their instructional excellence, classroom culture and demonstrated impact on student achievement.
“We’re proud to recognize Erika and all of our Teacher of the Year finalists who represent the very best of OKCPS,” said Kendra Horn, president and CEO of the OKCPS Foundation. “Their passion, innovation and unwavering dedication are examples of the impact teachers have in the lives of their students and our community.”
Dr. Jamie Polk, OKCPS superintendent, added, “We are so proud of Erika and all of our finalists. It is a privilege to celebrate the incredible teachers and staff of OKCPS. Their impact is lasting, and they are the heart and soul of this district. We honor them today and always.”
In addition to recognizing outstanding teachers, the Stars of Education event honored principals and support staff who have made a lasting impact on OKCPS this year.
The event also recognized excellence in school leadership, specialized instruction and school support:
Sam and Charolet Shirley Outstanding Principals – $5,000 cash award for personal use, $1,000 credit for a school project.
- Elementary: Michael Lisenby, Ridgeview Elementary School
- Secondary: Dr. Sunie Killam, Northwest Classen High School
Barbary Ann Norman Keith Excellence in Math Teaching Award – $2,500 cash award for personal use, $2,500 DonorsChoose gift card for a classroom project.
- Danny Blackshear, Capitol Hill High School
Willie O. Reynolds Excellence in Science Teaching Award – $2,500 cash award for personal use, $2,500 DonorsChoose gift card for classroom project.
- Carolyn Patrick, Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School
OKCPS Support Staff Spotlight Awards – $1,000 cash award for personal use.
- Alma Flores, principal secretary at Esperanza Elementary School
- Enrique “Mr. G” Gonzales, ELD paraprofessional at Wheeler Middle School
- Soledad Cervantes, title I paraprofessional at Fillmore Elementary School
All Spotlight award recipients received cash prizes for personal use or school projects, courtesy of the OKCPS Foundation.
2025 Stars of Education sponsors included:
Diamond Sponsor: Fowler Automotive, Ed & Jodi Sanchez and Dick & Glenna Tanenbaum
Platinum Sponsors: American Fidelity, Crossings Community Church, Devon Energy, Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores, McLaughlin Family Foundation, OU Health, Richison Family Foundation and the Sonic Foundation
To learn more about OKCPS and the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, visit www.okcps.org and www.okckids.com.
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Media Contacts:
Lisa Riley | LM Media
405-401-3593 | lisa@LMmedia.net
Crystal Raymond | OKCPS
405-831-1805 | cjraymond@okcps.org