OKLAHOMA CITY — A Durant teacher is among 12 finalists for the 2010 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year as part of the Oklahoma Department of Education’s annual Leadership conference at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.

Stacy Culbreath Shepherd teaches freshman English and Choctaw language at Durant High School. She has been in her current position for 14 years, with a total of 29 years as an educator and previous employment at Colbert Public Schools.

Shepherd was named as the Durant School District’s Teacher of the Year in December.

The finalists represent more than 160 years of teaching experience in all core subject areas and world languages, and from elementary, middle and high school grades, the finalists symbolize the high quality of Oklahoma’s teaching force, Garrett said.

“Teaching 21st century learners is not for the faint of heart or for those who lack passion for their chosen profession,” Garrett said. “These 12 men and women are the epitome of that can-do pioneering spirit that all children need leading their classrooms and who strive to make lasting impressions on youth. Each of these educators is outstanding and would make an extraordinary Oklahoma Teacher of the Year.”

Six state regional committees comprised of teachers and parents selected the 12 finalists. Each committee chose two of the finalists.

The 2010 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year will be chosen by a state committee comprised of education, business and civic leaders in a formal selection process, and will be announced in ceremonies at the Oklahoma State Fair.

The winner will be Oklahoma’s representative in the national Teacher of the Year competition, will serve one year as Oklahoma’s “Ambassador of Teaching,” and be the recipient of more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.