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Medal for Excellence Winners

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Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence Awards. The Medal for Excellence is one of our state’s most prestigious educator awards and recognizes public school educators for their passion and innovation, commitment to professional development, and extraordinary impact on student learning.

Each of the five winners receives a $5,000 cash prize and a glass “Roots and Wings” sculpture.

The Medal for Excellence winners will be recognized at OFE’s 40th annual Academic Awards Celebration on May 2, 2026, at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

Amanda Hundley, second from right, is celebrated as a Medal for Excellence recipient during a check presentation at Aspen Creek Early Childhood Center on March 31. Photo by Ryan Sherwood
Amanda Hundley, second from right, is celebrated as a Medal for Excellence recipient during a check presentation at Aspen Creek Early Childhood Center on March 31. Photo by Ryan Sherwood
Medal for Excellence recipient Amanda Hundley shows off her "Roots & Wings" sculpture to some of her students. Photo by Ryan Sherwood
Medal for Excellence recipient Amanda Hundley shows off her "Roots & Wings" sculpture to some of her students. Photo by Ryan Sherwood
Fort Gibson superintendent Scott Farmer, center, accepts his Medal for Excellence check from OFE's Elizabeth Inbody, left, and Hayley Riggs McGhee during an assembly at the school on March 6. Photo by Ryan Sherwood
Fort Gibson superintendent Scott Farmer, center, accepts his Medal for Excellence check from OFE's Elizabeth Inbody, left, and Hayley Riggs McGhee during a March 6 school assembly. Photo by Ryan Sherwood
Norman High teacher Darcy Pippins, center, accepts her Medal for Excellence check from OFE's Hayley Riggs McGhee, left, and Elizabeth Inbody during a March 12 presentation. Photo by Ryan Sherwood
Norman High teacher Darcy Pippins, center, accepts her Medal for Excellence check from OFE's Hayley Riggs McGhee, left, and Elizabeth Inbody during a March 12 presentation. Photo by Ryan Sherwood
OFE Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody, right, presents Darcy Pippins with a "Roots & Wings" sculpture. Pippins is the 2026 recipient of the Medal for Excellence in Secondary Teaching. NPS Instructional Coach Dominie Dew, left, nominated Pippins for the award. Photo by Ryan Sherwood
OFE Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody, right, presents Darcy Pippins with a "Roots & Wings" sculpture. Pippins is the 2026 recipient of the Medal for Excellence in Secondary Teaching. NPS Instructional Coach Dominie Dew, left, nominated Pippins. Photo by Ryan Sherwood
Dr. Jennifer Edwards, third from left, is the 2026 recipient of the Medal for Excellence in Regional University/Community College Teaching. Photo by Ryan Sherwood
Dr. Jennifer Edwards, third from left, is the 2026 recipient of the Medal for Excellence in Regional University/Community College Teaching. Photo by Ryan Sherwood

2026 Medal for Excellence Recipients

Elementary
Teaching

Amanda Hundley teaches a pre-K and kindergarten multiage class at Broken Arrow Public Schools’ Aspen Creek Early Childhood Center.

Amanda Hundley

Pre-K and Kindergarten Teacher
Aspen Creek Early Childhood Center
Broken Arrow Public Schools

Secondary
Teaching

Darcy Pippins teaches Spanish at Norman High School and is also chair of the school's world languages department.

Darcy Pippins

Spanish Teacher
Norman High School
Norman Public Schools

Elementary/Secondary Administration

Scott Farmer is the superintendent of Fort Gibson Public Schools.

Scott Farmer

Superintendent
Fort Gibson Public Schools

Regional Univ.-Community College Teaching

Dr. Jennifer Edwards is a professor of sociology and chair of the social sciences department at Northeastern State University.

Dr. Jennifer Edwards

Professor and Chair of the Social Sciences Department
Northeastern State University

Research University
Teaching

Randall Kolar is a professor and the director of the University of Oklahoma's School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science.

Dr. Randall Kolar

Professor and Director of the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science
University of Oklahoma

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