Teach Orange initiative celebrates Oklahoma teachers’ impact on education

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Media Contact:
Kirsi McDowell | Senior Communications Specialist | 405-744-9347 | [email protected]

Oklahoma State University’s College of Education and Human Sciences and the Office
of Educator Support celebrated Oklahoma Teachers for his or her impact in education with
on-field recognition on the Nov. 12 Oklahoma State vs. Iowa State soccer recreation. 

The 10 chosen people obtained tickets to attend the sport, a Teach Orange T-shirt
and $500 to assist their classroom. In addition, the group was celebrated throughout
a pregame pep rally on the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center.

Dr. Shelbie Witte — who serves as senior director of instructor education and head of
the School of Teaching, Learning and Educational Sciences at OSU — shared that her
staff was impressed by the almost 200 entries. 

“We had a variety of entries from first-year lecturers to veteran lecturers of greater than
20 years, all with the same message,” Witte said. “Their ‘why’ for instructing goes
past merely educating college students within the classroom. For most, it’s a hope that they
will form the lives of kids in significant ways in which might be carried on for a
lifetime.”

The ardour for instructing throughout Oklahoma is clear. OSU graduates and people from
different universities shared their love of education, ensuing within the 10 educators who
have been honored.

“The on-field recognition could have highlighted simply 10 of us, however I really feel we have been performing
as representatives of the career,” stated Tammy Bright-Wiggins, sixth and seventh
grade studying specialist for Stillwater Public Schools. “The numerous group appeared
to characterize many areas of the state, numerous topics taught and years of expertise.”

Julissa Soto, second grade instructor for Crooked Oak Public Schools, echoed the sentiment. 

“I stood on that subject for each educator on this nation as a result of we do what we do
each day due to the care and love now we have for the youngsters in our communities,”
Soto stated. “The recognition by the faculty was a considerate act.”

Nikki Longan, a kindergarten instructor for Perkins-Tryon Elementary, stated it was significant
to be appreciated and acknowledged for her job.

“It is just not at all times straightforward and never at all times appreciated, however I might not commerce it for something,”
Longan stated.

Dr. Jon Pedersen, dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences, expressed congratulations
to the people celebrated on Saturday and his gratitude for lecturers throughout the
state. 

“We are honored to acknowledge a few of our state’s finest lecturers in a small method via this
ceremony and the Teach Orange initiative,” Pedersen stated. “We are immensely proud
of the lecturers in our communities and all they do for our youngsters, youth and households
in Oklahoma.”

Teach Orange Honorees

• Wes Ankrom, eighth grade Science, Yukon Middle School, Yukon Public Schools
• Tammy Bright-Wiggins, sixth-seventh grade, Reading Specialist, Stillwater Middle School, Stillwater Public Schools
• Callie Duncan, ninth-12th grade Math, Glencoe High School, Glencoe Public Schools
• Chase Ferguson, seventh-12th grade, Agricultural Education, Shawnee Public Schools
• Mickala Gorrell, seventh-11th grade English, Covington-Douglas Public Schools
• Rachel Lewelling, Ok-5 Physical Education, Cedar Ridge Elementary, Union Public Schools
• Nicole Longan, Kindergarten, Perkins-Tryon Elementary, Perkins-Tryon Public Schools
• Kristina Morris, 5th grade, Pat Henry Elementary, Lawton Public Schools
• Julissa Soto, second grade, Central Oak Elementary, Crooked Oak Public Schools
• Elizabeth Ziegler, 10th-12th grade, Theater/Drama, Stillwater High School

For extra information concerning the College of Education and Human Sciences or the sources offered by the Office of Educator Support, go to us on-line.