OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has announced the 100 Oklahoma public high school seniors named as Academic All-State honorees for 2024.

The 2024 class features students from 71 schools in 64 school districts. One school, Paden High School, is celebrating its first Academic All-Stater.

“These outstanding students reflect the academic excellence achieved in Oklahoma’s public schools,” OFE Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody said. “We are honored to have the opportunity to celebrate them and reiterate the importance of public education in Oklahoma.”

OFE will honor the 2024 Academic All-State class at the 2024 Academic Awards Celebration on Saturday, May 4, at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Norman. Each All-Stater will receive a $1,500 merit-based cash award, an honor cord and a medallion. Honorees are encouraged to invite a teacher who has significantly impacted their academic success to the event; these educators will be recognized during the ceremony.

Since the program launched in 1987, OFE has honored some 3,800 Academic All-State students from 336 school districts.

OFE President Andrew J. Morris described the selection of the scholars as the most rigorous academic awards selection process in the state. To be eligible to apply, students must meet one of three criteria: an ACT composite score of at least 30; a combined SAT evidence-based reading & writing and math score of at least 1370; or be selected as a National Merit Semifinalist.

Applicants are evaluated based on academic achievement, leadership and community service, as well as letters of recommendation and an essay submitted by each applicant. Chaired by retired educator Jan McClaren, the selection committee works independently of other foundation activities. The committee is made up of a diverse group of business, education and civic leaders along with past honorees.

The 2024 All-Staters scored an average of 33 on the ACT, with seven scoring a perfect score of 36. The students’ average grade point average is 4.25, and 41 are National Merit Semifinalists.

Founded in 1985, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to recognizing and encouraging academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools. Through its flagship Academic Awards Program, the foundation presents $175,000 annually to honor outstanding public school students and educators. To learn more about the foundation, visit OFE.org.

2024 Academic All-State Scholars

Name

School District

School

Hometown

Tyler Cantrell

Ada

Ada High School

Ada

Cameron Longhurst

Alva

Alva High School

Alva

Audrey McClour*

Atoka

Atoka High School

Atoka

Lauren Lee

Bartlesville

Bartlesville High School

Bartlesville

Alex Ortiz

Bartlesville

Bartlesville High School

Bartlesville

Luke DeLozier*

Battiest

Battiest High School

Battiest

Bray Bussell

Bethel

Bethel High School

Shawnee

Macy Mose

Bixby

Bixby High School

Broken Arrow

Barbara Oviedo Rojas

Bixby

Bixby High School

Bixby

Ryane Owens

Bixby

Bixby High School

Tulsa

Cooper Stoda

Blanchard

Blanchard High School

Blanchard

Ava Boswell

Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow High School

Broken Arrow

Philip J. Oh

Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow High School

Broken Arrow

Brody Read*

Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow High School

Tulsa

Parker Wagnon

Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow High School

Broken Arrow

Cale Bible

Broken Bow

Broken Bow High School

Broken Bow

Blair Dowell

Canton

Canton High School

Canton

Alyssa Davis

Cashion

Cashion High School

Cashion

Lily Eckert

Chisholm

Chisholm High School

Carrier

Adele Wilson

Claremore

Claremore High School

Claremore

Luke Tidrick

Collinsville

Collinsville High School

Skiatook

Kamrey Rendon

Comanche

Comanche High School

Comanche

Scout Regier

Cordell

Cordell High School

Corn

Abby Woolf

Coweta

Coweta High School

Broken Arrow

Jordan Ogee

Deer Creek

Deer Creek High School

Guthrie

Anderson Bell

Edmond

Edmond Memorial High School

Edmond

Drew Burgess

Edmond

Edmond Memorial High School

Oklahoma City

Neha Kodali

Edmond

Edmond Memorial High School

Oklahoma City

Isabella Feng

Edmond

Edmond North High School

Edmond

Damien Guo

Edmond

Edmond North High School

Edmond

Lauren Patton

Edmond

Edmond North High School

Edmond

Hazel Kamila Silvestre Diaz

Edmond

Edmond North High School

Edmond

Jaley Hunt

Edmond

Edmond Santa Fe High School

Edmond

Madison Keene

Edmond

Edmond Santa Fe High School

Arcadia

Alayna Leck

Edmond

Edmond Santa Fe High School

Edmond

Elizabeth Stevenson

Elgin

Elgin High School

Elgin

Becky Yang

Elk City

Elk City High School

Elk City

Reed Martens*

Fairview

Fairview High School

Fairview

Hallie Kinion

Gore

Gore High School

Vian

Harrison Oakes*

Guymon

Guymon High School

Guymon

Rylee Cole

Jenks

Jenks High School

Tulsa

Elaine Gao

Jenks

Jenks High School

Tulsa

Karissa Lu

Jenks

Jenks High School

Tulsa

Diya Patel

Jenks

Jenks High School

Tulsa

Paige Petty

Jones

Jones High School

Jones

Holden Lee

Latta

Latta High School

Ada

Grace Cho

Lawton

Eisenhower High School

Lawton

Kaitlyn Lee

Lawton

Lawton High School

Fort Sill

Peter Swierkosz*

Lawton

MacArthur High School

Lawton

Joe Black

Moore

Moore High School

Moore

Mark Nguyen

Moore

Westmoore High School

Oklahoma City

Isabell Swafford

Muldrow

Muldrow High School

Muldrow

Carah Day

Mustang

Mustang High School

Mustang

Willa Madsen

Norman

Norman High School

Norman

Trace Redwine*

Norman

Norman High School

Norman

Serena Feng*

Norman

Norman North High School

Norman

Elianna Huang

Norman

Norman North High School

Norman

Ridwan Siddique

Norman

Norman North High School

Norman

Elias Constantine Sikavitsas

Norman

Norman North High School

Norman

Kathrine Grant

North Rock Creek

North Rock Creek High School

Shawnee

Brietta Chen

Oklahoma City

Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast

Oklahoma City

Ella Janes

Oklahoma City

Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast

Oklahoma City

Ojas Lakhotia

OSSM

Oklahoma School of Science & Mathematics

Edmond

Jacob Meng

OSSM

Oklahoma School of Science & Mathematics

Edmond

Adrian Pan

OSSM

Oklahoma School of Science & Mathematics

Edmond

Mia Newman

Oologah-Talala

Oologah-Talala High School

Talala

Ashlyn Stephenson

Owasso

Owasso High School

Owasso

Victoria Clanton

Paden

Paden High School

Okemah

Mary Ryan Branch

Perkins-Tryon

Perkins-Tryon High School

Meridian

Aubrey McVicker

Perry

Perry High School

Perry

Caleb Houston

Piedmont

Piedmont High School

Piedmont

Jesse Smyth

Plainview

Plainview High School

Ardmore

Beau Flanagan

Poteau

Poteau High School

Spiro

Thomas Hurst

Preston

Preston High School

Okmulgee

Timothy Bui

Putnam City

Putnam City North High School

Oklahoma City

Abigail Thomason

Sallisaw

Sallisaw High School

Sallisaw

Cassidy Crabb

Sayre

Sayre High School

Sayre

Aryahna Whetstone

Seiling

Seiling High School

Chester

Caitlin Laverty

Shattuck

Shattuck High School

Shattuck

Noor Atiyeh

Stillwater

Stillwater High School

Stillwater

Ella Calvert*

Stillwater

Stillwater High School

Stillwater

Eric Wang

Stillwater

Stillwater High School

Stillwater

Audrey Mao

Sulphur

Sulphur High School

Sulphur

Ashlee Purvine

Thomas-Fay-Custer Unified

Thomas-Fay-Custer High School

Fay

Jack Carson

Tulsa

Booker T. Washington High School

Tulsa

Leslie Espinoza

Tulsa

Booker T. Washington High School

Tulsa

Joy Crow

Tulsa

Thomas Edison Preparatory High School

Tulsa

Sterling Foster

Tuttle

Tuttle High School

Tuttle

Nancy Nguyen

Union

Union High School

Broken Arrow

Oluwajuwuralo Oyedele

Union

Union High School

Broken Arrow

Abby Tan

Union

Union High School

Broken Arrow

Jathan Brockman

Vian

Vian High School

Vian

Brooklyn Lierle

Vinita

Vinita High School

Vinita

Kolton Clark

Wagoner

Wagoner High School

Wagoner

Ty Vinson

Warner

Warner High School

Warner

Ava Foster

Weatherford

Weatherford High School

Weatherford

Riley Leonard

Weatherford

Weatherford High School

Weatherford

Barrett Love

Woodward

Woodward High School

Woodward

Samantha Stewart

Wynnewood

Wynnewood High School

Wynnewood

Anjalina Thomas

Yukon

Yukon High School

Yukon

*Indicates the All-State scholar is the family member of a past honoree.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is honoring five outstanding Oklahoma public school educators as recipients of its 2024 Medal for Excellence Awards.

The 2024 Medal for Excellence honorees are:

  • Elementary Teaching: Jennifer Goldner, fifth grade science teacher at Jay Upper Elementary School
  • Secondary Teaching: Jill Andrews, English language arts teacher at Claremore High School
  • Administration: Kevin Hime, superintendent of Lawton Public Schools
  • Regional University & Community College Teaching: Sapna Das-Bradoo, professor of biology and interim chair of the Department of Natural Sciences at Northeastern State University Broken Arrow
  • Research University Teaching: Greg Burge, economics professor and department chair at the University of Oklahoma in Norman

“Each of these public school educators has made an indelible impact on their students, school and community,” said Elizabeth Inbody, OFE executive director. “We are honored to make them the recipients of the Medal for Excellence, one of the state’s most prestigious teaching awards. We hope that their passion and innovation will inspire and encourage others in their support of public education.”

The recipients will be honored at OFE’s 38th annual Academic Awards Celebration on Saturday, May 4, at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Norman. Each educator will receive a $5,000 cash prize and an etched glass “Roots and Wings” sculpture.

The celebration is open to the public and will also honor 100 Oklahoma public high school seniors as Academic All-Staters and three Oklahoma public school foundations with Outstanding Program Awards. Admission costs $65 and includes dinner. To learn more about the event or register to attend, visit OFE.org.

Through its flagship Academic Awards Program, the foundation presents $175,000 annually to honor outstanding public school students and educators.

More information about the 2024 Medal for Excellence recipients

Jennifer Goldner, Jay Public Schools

Jennifer Goldner, recipient of the Medal for Excellence in Elementary Teaching, teaches fifth grade science at Jay Upper Elementary School.

Goldner grew up in the Jay area and has taught at the school since 1998, but she’s traveled many miles to learn and share her knowledge. She’s attended the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy and Advanced Space Academy, and she studied aboard the Oregon II as a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Teacher at Sea.

From 2014-17, she gave presentations across the country as the United States Honeywell Space Academy Ambassador. She’s now a consultant for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in support of the Teacher at Sea Program. Goldner has trained teachers in Ecuador and Belize, and she’s instructed educators in the Great Expectations professional development program for more than 20 years.

In her classroom, Goldner focuses on meeting each student’s learning style.

“In my teaching career I have had all these things in my classroom in an effort to help different students learn to the best of their abilities: a treadmill, a stationary bicycle, balance boards, bouncy balls, fidgets, shades over the lights and a microphone system,” Goldner said. “I am willing and excited to try anything if it will help a student learn.”

She attributes much of her success to the power of a question.

“So how do I get to know each and every one of my students?” Goldner said. “The answer is simple: I ask them questions and lots of them. This year I have 111 students, so the challenge is daunting for me, but I take it seriously.”

Former student Gavin Raye Tate says Goldner sparked her interest in pursuing a career in science after she graduates.

“In Ms. Goldner’s class, I found my love for science,” Tate said. “It was her passion that inspired me to dig deeper into the fundamental questions of why things happen the way they do, which is, in my opinion, science. I love participating in lab experiments and collecting data, and it was Ms. Goldner who taught me how to do those things.”

Jill Andrews, Claremore Public Schools

Jill Andrews, English language arts teacher at Claremore High School, is the recipient of the Medal for Excellence in Secondary Teaching.

Andrews says she wants her students to “see, hear, feel, taste, and smell the literature.”

It isn’t unusual to find Andrews’ high school students building dioramas with Play-Doh, drinking nonalcoholic mead as they study “Beowulf,” or presenting self-designed coats of arms while dressed as a “Canterbury Tales” character.

“British literature has become my passion; I spend many hours outside the school day researching the literature, language, culture, music, and history of life in Great Britain because it is important to me to present a well-rounded glimpse into the British literature world for my students,” Andrews said.

Andrews has been voted favorite teacher by six of Claremore’s senior classes and earned District Teacher of the Year honors for 2016-2017. She serves as sponsor for two student support groups and is assistant coach for the academic bowl team. Andrews volunteers in the community as a youth soccer and softball coach, and she has organized a student voter registration drive.

Former student Zachary Noland said Andrews “champions the idea that education is more than learning what is written in textbooks: it is about discovering what makes someone Oklahoman.”

Noland now teaches alongside Andrews.

“Years later, I found my own approach to teaching is an emulation of her techniques,” Noland said. “She actively engages her students through group discussions, such as Socratic seminars; research projects that foster creativity, public speaking skills, and work ethic; and assigns thrilling novels that challenge the essence of our humanity.”

Andrews, a Claremore native and University of Oklahoma graduate, credits the influence of her ninth-grade art teacher, Linda Scudder.

“The inspiration Mrs. Scudder was to me is what I have yearned to be for others,” Andrews said. “She demonstrated acceptance and provided a safe place to create art; she allowed me to express myself both visually and linguistically. Because I knew she cared, I willingly took risks in her class. I willingly stretched my mind beyond what I ever thought I could achieve.

“Just as I took intellectual risks in Mrs. Scudder’s class, my students learn that my class is a safe place to take risks, to stretch their intellectual ability.”

Kevin Hime, Lawton Public Schools

Lawton superintendent Kevin Hime is the recipient of the Medal for Excellence in Elementary/Secondary School Administration.

Since his arrival in December 2019, Hime’s innovative programs have transformed Lawton Public Schools.

“From the moment I met him, I knew amazing things were going to happen for our district, and he would make long-lasting impacts for our community,” said Lynn Cordes, the district’s executive director of communications. “I could not have imagined the leaps and bounds we have made since then!”

Hime and his staff worked with Great Plains Technology Center and Cameron University to open the Life Ready Center. The LRC, which Hime calls a “game-changer,” provides high school students access to programs and concurrent classes previously available at only one of the district’s campuses.

Hime started the Lawton Technical Applications Program, which provides hands-on, career-oriented classes to students in grades 7 through 10. Hime also implemented a 5,000-student virtual school, and he established a partnership in which the Lawton Public School Foundation covers funding for college tuition, books and fees for students while they’re enrolled at LPS.

“To help our students achieve success, we must be willing to think outside of the box and provide opportunities to achieve what I call one of the 3E’s: enrolled, enlisted, or employed,” Hime said. “If these opportunities do not currently exist, we cannot be afraid to step up and create them ourselves.”

He installed Makerspaces on all 18 elementary campuses. In these collaborative spaces, students work with a certified teacher to explore and create using problem-solving strategies and STEM practices.

Hime was the 2022 State Superintendent of the Year and the Oklahoma School Public Relations Association’s 2021-22 Superintendent of the Year.  He currently serves as president for the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators and the United Suburban School Association.

An Idabel native, Hime received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant. He started his career as a U.S. history teacher and coach, making stops at Hugo, Woodward and Idabel. Before arriving in Lawton, he served as superintendent at Woodland and Clinton.

Since 2020, Hime has hosted his “Time with Hime” podcast to communicate with school staff, families and stakeholders more effectively. He also organized and hosted the popular weekly #oklaed chat on Twitter (now known as X).

“To foster a sense of unity, it is vital for me, my staff, families, and stakeholders of our community to work together as a team,” Hime said. “This can only be done with effective and purposeful communication.”

Dr. Sapna Das-Bradoo, Northeastern State University Broken Arrow

Dr. Sapna Das-Bradoo, a biology professor at Northeastern State University Broken Arrow, is the recipient of the Medal for Excellence in Teaching at a Regional University/Community College.

Das-Bradoo has taught at NSU Broken Arrow since 2011 and is serving as interim chair of the Department of Natural Sciences. Das-Bradoo has worked to develop a student-focused, externally funded research program and has obtained more than $1.1 million in funding for the university.

Das-Bradoo credits her research mentor at her alma mater, the University of Delhi in India, for helping her realize her passion for research and giving her the confidence to continue her educational career.

“The excitement of unraveling scientific mysteries, troubleshooting, and scientific discussions with my research mentor shaped my future career in research,” Das-Bradoo said. “I have actively engaged in undergraduate research since my first day at NSU and have served as a research mentor for 60 undergraduate and 4 graduate students.”

Students and colleagues speak not just of Das-Bradoo’s gift for illustrating complex ideas and relating science to everyday life but also of how invested she is in students’ success. She’s received several student-nominated awards and was honored as Faculty Mentor of the Year for the 2021-22 school year.

“Dr. Das-Bradoo always made or found time for us as her students,” said former student Bryan Wright, who describes her as one of the most influential figures in his life. “Her office may not have been labeled ‘counselor,’ but she definitely was one.”

Jessica Martin, interim dean for NSU’s Gregg Wadley College of Science and Health Professions, noted that Das-Bradoo often incorporates advances that haven’t yet made it into textbooks, sparking interest with topics like gene editing and sequencing and the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

“Constantly, she looks for ways to engage students, pondering how to challenge students without overwhelming,” former student Michael P. Smith said. “She is often worried about the growth of the entire student body. She is concerned. She cares.”

Das-Bradoo started a science seminar series that highlights cutting-edge research, and she recently launched a career seminar series that allows students to learn from NSU alumni.

“I strongly believe in these words from Vitruvius, a Roman architect and engineer: ‘All the gifts which fortune bestows she can easily take away; but education, when combined with intelligence, never fails, but abides steadily on to the very end of life,’” Das-Bradoo said.

Dr. Greg Burge, University of Oklahoma

Dr. Greg Burge, recipient of the Medal for Excellence in Teaching at a Research University, is an economics professor who chairs the University of Oklahoma’s economics department. The Florida State University alumnus has taught at OU since 2006.

In 2018, Burge received OU’s General Education Teaching Award, which recognizes an educator whose teaching is considered to have contributed most to the university-wide general education program. Burge says he takes great pride in that award because it “connects directly to OU’s goals related to improving student success and retention.”

“Dr. Burge’s personal touch and sustained engagement work miracles,” said colleague Qihong Liu, who noted that rates of student failure — measured by the number of D’s and F’s — fell by more than half during the first year Burge started teaching OU’s Principles of Macroeconomics introductory course.

Former students speak of Burge’s passion for teaching and kindness. Burge worked out a deal with a textbook manufacturer so that he can give students a textbook free if they approach him about a financial hardship.

“While this situation occurs only a handful of times each year, on many occasions I’ve seen tears in students’ eyes after they learn I’ve arranged this deal with the publisher,” Burge said. “My goal is that those students would feel just as supported in their educational journey as other students with access to more resources.”

Burge developed and led the Economics in London program, the economics department’s first study abroad program in many years. Burge worked hard to build a strong program that remained affordable for students. In 2017, OU’s Dodge Family College of Arts & Sciences named Economics in London its program of the year.

Former student Leah A. Pomerantz said Burge went out of his way to make students comfortable with life in a foreign country, planning activities for them and taking them out to dinner.

In 2023, Burge chaired the local organizing committee for the prestigious Chinese Economists Society North American Conference. The event brought more than 100 scholars to campus and provided students with a valuable educational opportunity, Liu said.

Burge counts among his most prized possessions the more than 100 handwritten letters of thanks former students have sent him.

“I believe educators can tap into something very powerful when they truly care about their students’ goals,” Burge said.

Jennifer Goldner, fifth grade teacher at Jay Upper Elementary School
Jennifer Goldner, fifth grade teacher at Jay Upper Elementary School
Jill Andrews, English language arts teacher at Claremore High School
Kevin Hime, Lawton Public Schools superintendent
Dr. Sapna Das-Bradoo, biology professor and interim chair of the Department of Natural Sciences at Northeastern State University Broken Arrow
Dr. Sapna Das-Bradoo, biology professor and interim chair of the Department of Natural Sciences at Northeastern State University Broken Arrow
Dr. Greg Burge, economics professor and department chair at the University of Oklahoma
Dr. Greg Burge, economics professor and department chair at the University of Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY — Public school foundation programs in Edmond, Tulsa and Cheyenne have been selected as recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Program Awards for Oklahoma School Foundations, which are presented by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and its Oklahoma School Foundations Network.

The awards recognize innovative programs sponsored or administered by public school foundations in Oklahoma. The winning programs, selected for their impact on their school and community, are the Student Ambassador Program, sponsored by the Edmond Public Schools Foundation; Cheyenne Honors Night, sponsored by the Cheyenne Education Foundation; and the Healthy Thriving Schools Initiative, sponsored by the Foundation for Tulsa Schools.

Each program will receive a plaque and a monetary award of $1,000. They will be honored at OFE’s Academic Awards Celebration on May 4 at Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Norman.

“Each year, we are amazed at the creativity Oklahoma’s public school foundations show in building programs that deeply impact their schools and communities,” said OFE Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody. “With these awards, we not only honor these impactful programs but also provide a platform for sharing their successes in hopes of inspiring other school foundations to create similarly meaningful programs.”

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is a statewide nonprofit that recognizes and encourages excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools. The foundation’s Oklahoma School Foundations Network was created to support new and established school foundations across the state. To learn more, visit OFE.org.

Student Ambassador Program, Edmond Public Schools Foundation

The Student Ambassador Program builds advocates for public education, cultivates leaders within the school district and fosters philanthropic endeavors for meaningful impact. High school students from Edmond Public Schools actively participate in monthly meetings where they engage with district, community and state leaders. These students take part in various committees and events, such as speaking at public gatherings, organizing fundraisers, conducting food drives, volunteering in schools and advocating for public education on social media. The program also includes the election of officers from each high school and encourages collaboration among students across different schools through committees focused on philanthropy, advocacy and leadership.

“This recognition celebrates the impactful contributions of high school students to public education through leadership, advocacy and philanthropy, reaffirming that their efforts are truly making a difference,” said Deanna Boston, CEO of the Edmond Public Schools Foundation. “Thank you for helping us mentor the future leaders of public education in our state.”

Over the past four years, the program’s meetings have featured guest speakers who provide insights into the Edmond Public Schools Foundation’s strategic focus areas. Among these speakers have been prominent leaders such as the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Education, the Edmond Public Schools Superintendent, the Edmond mayor and various educators and leaders. The primary goal is to equip students with the skills to communicate effectively in the community about public education and inspire them to give back.

Cheyenne Honors Night, Cheyenne Educational Foundation

Since 2006, Cheyenne junior high and high school students who excel academically have been celebrated at Cheyenne Honors Night. Approximately 50 students are honored each year with recognition and a prize, and seniors recognize their most influential teacher. Honors Night is now an honored tradition and has grown to include the National Honor Society Induction ceremony.

“The program serves one purpose: to show appreciation of and to give recognition to the students who have excelled academically, who otherwise may go unnoticed during the spring semester awards programs and banquet season,” said foundation board member Dianna Butler, a retired educator and longtime employee of Cheyenne High School. “This program serves as a venue to encourage students in the academic arena and challenges them to continue their diligent efforts for academic excellence.”

Along with their public recognition, honorees receive “Bear Bucks” to be used at many Cheyenne businesses. These awards encourage students to academic success and boost community involvement in Cheyenne students’ continued academic achievement.

Healthy Thriving Schools Initiative, Foundation for Tulsa Schools

The Healthy Thriving Schools Initiative, launched in 2022, is funded and supported through the Foundation for Tulsa Schools and executed by Tulsa Public Schools’ Student and Family Support Services team. This initiative supports staff and resources for implementation of best-practice-model mental health services. The initiative allows TPS to create a district-wide framework to promote the whole child by elevating mental health as a district operational priority, strengthening the district’s social, emotional and mental health foundation and developing the leadership capacity and infrastructure needed to implement a multi-tiered support system.

“As mental health challenges become more prevalent in schools throughout the country, we are very thankful to the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence for recognizing the collaborative work taking place at Tulsa Public Schools to provide the support our students need to be successful, both inside and outside the classroom,” said Moises Echeverria, president and CEO of the Foundation for Tulsa Schools.

The initiative allows for the creation of a coordinated effort by the district to use data on student’s behavioral health or social and emotional needs to identify and implement appropriate interventions and to engage community partners in delivering appropriate evidence-based interventions.

The initiative created the groundwork to allow the district to receive a $9 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The five-year grant will allow TPS to further develop a sustainable infrastructure of school-based mental health programs and services.

Student Ambassador Program member Cooper Bortmess takes the Working Genius assessment with his peers as they learn how to work as a team at a monthly student ambassador meeting.
Elementary school students participate in activities at the Tulsa Public Schools Kravis Summer Camp.
Cheyenne Honors Night shines a light on students at the school’s junior high and high school who excel academically.

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