April 2025 - Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence

OKLAHOMA CITY — On May 10, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence will honor the standouts of Oklahoma public education at its 39th annual Academic Awards Celebration at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.

The event will recognize five outstanding educators as Medal for Excellence recipients, 100 high school seniors as Academic All-State honorees and three Oklahoma public school foundations as Outstanding Program Award winners.

“When Oklahoma’s public schools thrive, we all win,” said OFE Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody. “Our students and educators are achieving greatness, and we encourage Oklahomans to join us in celebrating them.”

Those who wish to attend can register at OFE.org; the registration deadline is 9 a.m. May 6. The event will be broadcast on OETA at 3 p.m. May 17 and 10 a.m. May 18.

One of Oklahoma’s most prestigious teaching honors, the Medal for Excellence recognizes public school educators for their passion and innovation, commitment to professional development and extraordinary impact on student learning. Each recipient receives $5,000 and an etched glass “Roots and Wings” sculpture.

OFE will present Medal for Excellence awards to Leah McDonald (Elementary Teaching), music teacher at Edmond Public Schools’ Heritage Elementary; Nadine Hanefield (Secondary Teaching), service careers special education instructor at Great Plains Technology Center in Lawton; Sherry Durkee (Administration), superintendent of Sand Springs Public Schools; Dr. April Haulman (Regional University & Community College Teaching), education professor at the University of Central Oklahoma; and Dr. Jennifer Rudd (Research University Teaching), assistant professor in the department of veterinary pathobiology and interim associate dean of academic and student affairs at the Oklahoma State University College of Medicine.

The Outstanding Program Awards for Oklahoma School Foundations recognize innovative programs sponsored or administered by public school foundations in Oklahoma. Each program receives a plaque and a monetary award of $1,000.

The award-winning foundations are Noble Public Schools Foundation for the Art Off the Wall fundraiser, Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation for the T-Up for OKCPS 2025 program and Stillwater Public Education Foundation for the Pre-K Play-Based Learning Initiative.

The 2025 Academic All-State class features 100 high school seniors from 67 schools in 62 districts. Each honoree will receive a $1,500 award, a medallion and an honor cord. Students are recognized for their extraordinary academic achievement, leadership and community service. A list of honorees is available at OFE.org/Academic-All-Staters.

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is a nonpartisan nonprofit that recognizes and encourages academic excellence in Oklahoma public schools. Since 1985, OFE has led a movement to elevate public education in Oklahoma and celebrate exceptional students and teachers.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Thirty-seven Oklahoma fifth and eighth grade teachers have been selected to receive fellowships to attend the Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute of Colonial Williamsburg.

The renowned teacher institute takes place in and around Williamsburg, the restored capital city of 18th-century Virginia. Attendees immerse themselves in early American history by meeting character interpreters, exploring primary sources and participating in hands-on activities and reenactments.

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence coordinates the selection of educators from the state for fellowships to participate in the teacher institute. The fellowships cover program activities, airfare, lodging and most meals. Each teacher also receives a $300 stipend for classroom materials.

“These fellowships provide an incredible opportunity for Oklahoma educators to learn and collaborate with their peers,” said OFE Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody. “We’re proud to facilitate such an exceptional professional development opportunity.”

The fifth grade teacher institute, which takes place June 1-6, will focus on daily life in the American colonies from the period of British colonization through the American Revolution.

The eighth grade teacher institute will be held June 8-13. It will look at how the United States’ founding ideals inspired citizens to shape and change the nation from the first American colonies through the Civil War.

OFE, a nonprofit that recognizes and encourages academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools, has coordinated Oklahoma’s participation in the teacher institute since 1993.

The program is made possible through the leadership and support of the late Oklahoma City businessman Edward C. Joullian III. Joullian was an active supporter and former board member of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and an OFE trustee. Joullian’s family, along with a group of loyal donors, continues to support the fellowship program, which has served 1,225 Oklahoma teachers since 1993.

Fifth Grade Fellows

Michelle Boone, Cushing Middle School

Katherine Ethridge, Nicoma Park Intermediate School

Jeannie Eutsler, Dewey Elementary School

Miranda Fox, Waurika Elementary School

Chelsee Gray, Willard Grade Center (Ada City Schools)

Keri Gregg, Grove Upper Elementary School

Theresa Griffin, Piedmont Intermediate School

Aubri Guthrie, Redstone Intermediate School (Yukon Public Schools)

Shaylin Hall, Lexington Intermediate School

Angie Horton, Choctaw Elementary School

Christine Keith, Pioneer Intermediate School (Noble Public Schools)

Carrie Khan, Deer Creek 4th & 5th Grade Center

Jammie Kimmel, Piedmont Intermediate School

Barbara Larkin, Richard Kane Elementary School (Bartlesville Public Schools)

Alyssa Lester, Altus Intermediate School

Shyler Long, Stilwell Middle School

Cecelia McTighe, James L. Dennis Elementary School (Putnam City Schools)

Shaylin Nutter, Marietta Elementary School

Renee Pike, Lexington Intermediate School

Lisa Pitts, Oakdale Public School

Renee Smith, Alex Elementary School

Angela Tindall, Meadow Brook Intermediate School (Mustang Public Schools)

Amy Williams, Dewey Elementary School

Jennifer Williams, Willard Grade Center (Ada City Schools)

Eighth Grade Fellows

Neveen Bashiti, Oklahoma Islamic Academy of Edmond

Jennifer Gay, Washington Middle School

Brailey Gilbreath, Blackwell Middle School

Pamela Hamman, Prague Middle School

Bethany Holley-Griffith, Western Oaks Middle School (Putnam City Schools)

Bethany Lovelace, Carver Middle School (Tulsa Public Schools)

Sonya Markle, Ardmore Middle School

Dee Maxey, Riverfield Country Day School of Tulsa

Ashleigh Schaffer, Etta Dale Junior High School (El Reno Public Schools)

Brandi Thomas, Riverfield Country Day School of Tulsa

Shawna Tresler, Epic Charter Schools (Charter)

Lousondra Waltz, Central Middle School (Edmond Public Schools)

Kassandra Wingfield, Rock Creek Junior High School

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has awarded $18,000 in grants to Oklahoma mentoring programs that serve students in grades K-12. The grants are expected to impact more than 13,000 students across the state.

The Comeback Kid Society’s Pathways program and the Meeker High School Leadership Team received $3,000 start-up grants, which are designed to encourage communities to establish quality mentoring programs. Organizations or programs in their first three years of operation are eligible.

Based in Oklahoma City, The Comeback Kid Society offers support and resources to young individuals residing in foster group homes, juvenile detentions, treatment centers and local communities. Grant funds will support bi-monthly educational workshops that are central to the organization’s Pathways program, which addresses a critical gap in services for students facing homelessness. The workshops allow students to engage in social and creative activities while developing academic and life skills.

The Meeker High School Leadership Team is dedicated to fostering growth, connection and community impact. Its flagship program, Books for Bulldogs, inspires a love of reading in younger students while promoting literacy and mentorship. The team is expanding its efforts to include a peer-to-peer mentoring program. Grant funds will be used to create meaningful experiences, including a Dr. Seuss Week event that will foster a culture of literacy and learning while strengthening the bond between young readers and their high school mentors.

OFE has awarded $1,500 opportunity grants to 10 existing mentoring programs across Oklahoma. These grants can help fund programming, training, materials or other needs that advance excellence in mentoring for K-12 students.

The opportunity grant recipients are Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, Bartlesville; Bruins on the Run, Bartlesville; Bulldog PAWS (Partners at Work in Schools), Okmulgee; Carney Public Schools Top Dawgs, Carney; Loveworks Afterschool Leadership, Norman; M.V.P. (Mentors with Vision & Purpose) Initiative, Shawnee; Norman High School Elementary Spanish Mentor Program, Norman; ReadOKC Book Club, Oklahoma City; Tulsa BizTown, Tulsa; and Whiz Kids of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City.

“We are thrilled to support the growth and development of so many quality mentoring programs with these grants,” said Lauren Dow, OFE program specialist. “These programs all have an incredible impact on students and communities across Oklahoma.”

To be eligible for the grants, programs must serve K-12 age children in Oklahoma. Preference is given to organizations that work in partnership with local public schools. Programs must conduct background checks on all mentors and agree to report quantitative and qualitative outcomes. They must also provide proof of 501(c)3 status or proof of an agreement with a local public school district or other qualified 501(c)3 umbrella organization.

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is a statewide nonprofit that recognizes and encourages excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools. To learn more, visit OFE.org.

More Information on the Opportunity Grant Recipients

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, Bartlesville: This organization focuses on youth mentoring, matching children aged 6 through 18 with mentors who provide consistency and a positive influence. Mentors and mentees meet regularly for at least a year. Grant funds will be used to cover the cost of volunteer background checks that are a vital part of the matching process.

Bruins on the Run, Bartlesville: Launched in 2018 by the Bartlesville Public School Foundation, Bruins on the Run serves as an innovative after-school mentoring and running program for fifth graders at Bartlesville Public Schools. Students run after school with teacher-mentors three days a week, and the students participate in local running events. Grant funds will cover students’ race registrations.

Bulldog PAWS (Partners at Work in Schools), Okmulgee: This Okmulgee Education Foundation program pairs adult mentors with first through fourth grade students for hourlong after-school sessions. Grant funds will go toward background checks and supplies needed to continue the program.

Carney Public Schools Top Dawgs, Carney: This youth mentoring program holds events and assemblies throughout the school year. The grant funds will be used for a workshop that will be part of a schoolwide anti-bullying week. The workshop will include a skit performed by the Top Dawgs, a guest speaker, group discussions and team-building games.

Loveworks Afterschool Leadership, Norman: This program by Loveworks Leadership provides middle school students with purpose-driven, interactive lessons led by dedicated volunteers. Grant funds will be used to expand and enhance core programming through experiences like guest speakers and field trips in addition to increasing volunteer training and support.

M.V.P. (Mentors with Vision & Purpose) Initiative, Shawnee: Uplift Mentoring focuses on closing the mentoring gap in Pottawatomie County, and its M.V.P. Initiative is a one-to-one mentoring program that trains and equips high school student-athletes to mentor at-risk incoming middle school students. The organization will use grant funds to expand the initiative to the Tecumseh, Bethel and McLoud school districts.

Norman High School Elementary Spanish Mentor Program, Norman: Through this program, advanced high school Spanish students volunteer to teach 30-minute lessons to fourth and fifth grade students using Acquisition Driven Instruction techniques like storytelling and reader’s theater. The grant will fund the purchase of two sets of novellas for student mentors to use in reading with their students.

ReadOKC Book Club, Oklahoma City: This program of the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation places volunteers in middle and high schools to work with student book clubs to help increase self-esteem, foster self-motivation, promote responsibility and improve attitudes towards reading. Grant funds will allow the foundation to provide each club with a new set of books of their students’ choice.

Tulsa BizTown, Tulsa: Junior Achievement of Oklahoma provides lessons in financial literacy, work/career readiness and entrepreneurship, and Tulsa BizTown serves as a capstone program for its elementary school students. The students serve as Tulsa BizTown’s citizens for a day, learning about running businesses, personal banking and working together. Grant funds will be used to purchase curriculum kits for classrooms to facilitate the program.

Whiz Kids of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City: This volunteer literacy tutoring and mentoring program focuses on students from first through fifth grade. Funds from the grant will be used to purchase materials that address critical literacy needs, including improving sight word recognition, fluency, comprehension, phonemic awareness and English as a second language support.

Month: April 2025

More Information on the Opportunity Grant Recipients

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