GIVE
GIVE

Month: July 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY — A select group of Oklahoma educators explored the people, places and ideas that ignited American independence at the Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute of Colonial Williamsburg this summer.

Thirty-seven Oklahoma educators received fellowships to the renowned teacher institute. It is held in and around Williamsburg, the restored capital city of 18th-century Viginia that is now the world’s largest living history museum.

This summer’s teacher institute sessions celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with the theme, “Revolutionary Roots: Teaching Civic Engagement at 250.”

Jennifer Ragland, who teaches at Union Public Schools’ McAuliffe Elementary School, called her visit “the most meaningful and inspiring professional development experience of my teaching career.”

“One of my biggest takeaways is that the people who lived over 250 years ago were not so different from us today,” Ragland said. “They had hopes, fears, dreams, friendships, challenges and responsibilities. Helping students make those human connections will allow them to better understand the past and develop empathy for others.”

Oklahoma’s fifth grade teacher institute took place May 31-June 5, while eighth grade teachers visited from June 7-12.

During their six days in Virginia, the educators immersed themselves in early American history. They interacted with character interpreters, participated in hands-on activities and worked with a facilitator to develop lesson plans and interactive teaching techniques.

“One of my favorite experiences in Colonial Williamsburg was participating in a debate over independence and voting on the resolution,” said Ashleigh Schaffer, who teaches at El Reno Public Schools’ Etta Dale Junior High School. “It was an engaging way to step into the shoes of the colonists and wrestle with the difficult decisions they faced.”

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

OFE, a nonpartisan 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 and a group of loyal donors continue to support the fellowship program, which has served 1,262 Oklahoma teachers since 1993.

Fifth Grade Attendees

Mandy Bonadonna, Elgin Middle School

Madison Boswell, Willard Grade Center (Ada)

Natilee Clayton, Overholser Elementary School (Putnam City)

Carol Conrad, Jarman Elementary School (Union)

Caleb Davis, Westwood Elementary School (Stillwater)

Stacy Doughty, Plainview Intermediate School

Alexandra Elliott, Windsor Hills Elementary School (Putnam City)

Amy Fetters, Willard Grade Center (Ada)

Susan McGill, Westside Elementary School (Claremore)

Emma McQueen, Nichols Upper Elementary School (Miami)

Hunter Najera, Mayo Demonstration School (Tulsa)

Janet Neal, McAuliffe Elementary School (Union)

Shelby Nobles, Arbor Grove Elementary School (Putnam City)

Monica Peevyhouse, Frederick Elementary School

Jennifer Ragland, McAuliffe Elementary School (Union)

Kristin Reid, Elgin Middle School

Phoebe Smith, Jenks East Intermediate School

Jessica Smith, Welch Elementary School

Beth Sprague, St. John Nepomuk Catholic School

Justin Trujillo, Sequoyah Upper Elementary School

Madeline VanDover, Apple Creek Elementary School (Moore)

Terisha Wade, Stuart Elementary School

Nancy Weber, Rosa Parks Elementary School (Union)

MaryAnne Whetstone, Roblyer Middle School (El Reno)

Nichole Whitley, Westwood Elementary School (Stillwater)

Shanna Willis, Sallie Gillentine Elementary School (Hollis)

Diane Wood, Lincoln Elementary School (Norman)

Eighth Grade Attendees

Heather Braucher, Pryor Middle School

April Carter, Spiro Middle School

Mallory Hawkins, Riverfield Country Day School

Gina Huff, Spiro Upper Elementary School

Matthew Jobe, Ewing Halsell Middle School (Vinita)

Sasha Kirkpatrick, Alva Middle School

Amy Miller, Comanche High School

Rebekah Newman, Nicoma Park Middle School (Choctaw-Nicoma Park)

Mary Robertson, Fargo-Gage High School

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

A group of Oklahoma fifth grade educators visited the Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute of Colonial Williamsburg from Oklahoma’s fifth grade teacher institute took place May 31-June 5.
A group of Oklahoma fifth grade educators visited the Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute of Colonial Williamsburg from Oklahoma’s fifth grade teacher institute took place May 31-June 5.
Spiro teachers Gina Huff and April Carter attended the Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute of Colonial Williamsburg over the summer.
Spiro teachers Gina Huff and April Carter attended the Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute of Colonial Williamsburg over the summer.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, a nonprofit that elevates public education in Oklahoma, has added two new members to its staff.

Morgan Harris will serve as OFE’s director of operations, stepping into the position after serving as president-elect of the foundation’s Board of Trustees. An Okmulgee native, Harris is a past honoree of the Academic All-State Award that OFE bestows on 100 public school seniors annually. She brings more than two decades of dedicated volunteer experience with OFE to the position. In 2013, she was honored with the foundation’s Distinguished Service Award.

Before taking on her current role, Harris founded, owned and operated Green Bambino, Oklahoma City’s premier baby store, until its closure in 2022. She earned her bachelor’s degree in letters and French from the University of Oklahoma.

Also joining the staff is Dana Renner, who will serve as director of OFE’s Oklahoma School Foundations Network. Renner will also be the executive director of the Oklahoma Public Schools Foundation, a nonprofit formed through partnerships with OFE and the Oklahoma State School Boards Association.

Renner has served in numerous roles throughout her 30 years in public education and education leadership, most recently as a national education consultant. An Oklahoma City native who now lives in Edmond, she’s a past Oklahoma State Middle School Principal of the Year and a former trustee of the Deer Creek Public Schools Foundation.

“We are so excited to be adding these two experienced professionals to our staff,” said Elizabeth Inbody, OFE’s chief executive officer. “Their expertise in their fields will bring a new dimension to the team, and they are both deeply passionate about public education in Oklahoma.”

OFE is a statewide, nonpartisan nonprofit that recognizes and encourages academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools. The foundation elevates public education through esteemed honors, grants to K-12 mentoring programs, support for public school foundations and partnerships that provide exceptional professional development to educators.

Morgan Harris.
Morgan Harris
Dana Renner

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Oklahoma Foundation For Excellence, 5530 N. Western Ave., Suite 100, Oklahoma City, OK, 73118, US, http://www.ofe.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.