The teachers and administrator of the year were named Aug. 29 during the Bryan County Teachers Meeting at Southeastern Bloomer Sullivan Arena.
Elementary Teacher of the Year is Karla Speer of Calera and Secondary Teacher of the Year is Kaci Parsons, Silo. Bennington Superintendent Pam Reynolds was named Administrator of the Year.
Other candidates for Elementary Teacher of the Year were: Christi Owens, Achille; Christine Forrest, Bennington, Mary Adair, Caddo; Tammy Williams, Colbert; Kasey Bennett, Durant School District Teacher of the Year; Ginavee Freeman, Rock Creek, and Jamie Clark, Silo.
Candidates for Secondary Teacher of the Year were: Keenan Ervin, Achille; Tommy McWilliams, Bennington; Kesha Callicoat, Caddo; Kendrell Willis, Calera; Tiffany Britt, Colbert; Ashley McLarry, Kiamichi Tech, and Lyle Klement, Rock Creek.
Administrator of the Year candidates were: Renee Barnhill, Achille; Lee Northcutt, Caddo; Cheryl Evans, Calera; Stephanie Carlton, Colbert; Kelly Lowrance, Kiamichi Tech; Kyle Wingfield, Rock Creek, and Pam Dellinger, Silo.
Plaques were presented to educators who have served for 35 years, John Kent, Michelle Stone, Tammy Williams, Velma Winnett, Lisa Jestis, Keta Proc- tor, Kay Boydstun and Jennifer Hendricks.
The theme for the meeting was “Teaching is Groovy, Peace, Love and Lesson Plans.”
Sean Buchanan, superintendent of the Geary School District, was the motivational speaker.
Buchanan is an international speaker, consultant and author. He has become a leading expert in forming connections with and motivating educators through leveraging the power of human connection. His student-first philosophies have been presented to, and implemented by, thousands of educators both nationally and internationally. Buchanan was born and raised in Oklahoma, and has dedicated his life to inspiring educators and driving student achievement.
Among things he spoke of was unity and not allowing differences to divide everyone.
“We have to learn to celebrate our differences and appreciate them,” Buchanan said. “Just because I’m different, doesn’t make me better or worse. We’re all just people.”
He also spoke on student behavior.
“Stop lamenting student behavior,” Buchanan said. “We’ve got to stop. These kids ain’t doing nothing you didn’t do. Spring break 2000, some of ya’ll was loosing your mind, wasn’t you? Out there on the beach just going crazy.
“We got to stop lamenting student behavior. We got to stop because kids haven’t changed. Parents have changed. Kids haven’t, it ain’t their fault. They ain’t doing nothing you didn’t do. But parents have changed and so we can get parents on our side. We can get parents to parent the way they used to. That’s another discussion, but it can be done, I promise you. I promise you it can be done because we’re living it right now in our district.
“That frustration cannot build to the point where we stop because I can guarantee you one thing … if you stop, it won’t happen.”
He spoke of students who come from homes that don’t even have basic utilities and he said they are byproducts of those environments.
“The kids who act this way often need more of you,” Buchanan said. “So, my question is, how far are you willing to go to ensure their success? “Are you willing to come out here and make a fool of yourself if it gives a kid a reason to want to come to school tomorrow? Are you willing to put yourself out in front of your peers outside of your comfort zone if it gives that kid a reason to not be defiant? If it proves to him that you’re willing to do anything for him to be successful, how far would you go?
“You see, we cannot let the frustrations pile up on us and take us away from the profession. Their lives are often a circus. I even say they are a fracas and when we get frustrated, when things get tough, we can’t quit. We can’t leave. We have to stay in the fray. I believe that we will change the world through education and I believe that we cannot do so if we continue to exit. I need you. These kids need you to stay in the fray.”
Retired Durant High School educator and Oklahoma Teacher of the Year for 2017 Jon Hazell welcomed everyone and introduced Buchanan. The Boy Scouts presented the colors and the National Anthem was performed by Southeastern student Haylie Kreitz. Interim Southeastern President Dr. David Whitlock and Stephanie Davison, Southeastern executive director of Alumni Relations, spoke. Entertainment was by the Durant High School Band.
