Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Names Five Public School Educators as 2025 Medal for Excellence Recipients

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

The 2025 Medal for Excellence honorees are:

  • Elementary Teaching: Leah McDonald, music teacher at Edmond Public Schools’ Heritage Elementary
  • Secondary Teaching: Nadine Hanefield, service careers special education instructor at Great Plains Technology Center in Lawton
  • Administration: Sherry Durkee, superintendent, Sand Springs Public Schools
  • Regional University & Community College Teaching: April Haulman, education professor at the University of Central Oklahoma
  • Research University Teaching: Jennifer Rudd, assistant professor of veterinary microbiology at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate these five impactful educators,” said Elizabeth Inbody, OFE executive director. “Each year, we have the honor of awarding one of the state’s most prestigious teaching awards to educators who do great things for our Oklahoma public school students and communities. We hope their passion and innovation will inspire and encourage others in their support of public education.”

OFE will honor the Medal for Excellence recipients at the 39th annual Academic Awards Celebration on Saturday, May 10, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Each recipient 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. More information about the event is available at 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 2025 Medal for Excellence recipients

Leah McDonald, Edmond Public Schools

Leah McDonald decided to be a music teacher when she was 8 years old, and she’s never looked back.

“I became a teacher because of my love and passion for music,” McDonald said. “I teach music each day because I love children and making music with them.”

McDonald, recipient of the 2025 Medal for Excellence in Elementary Teaching, teaches music to 750 students in grades K-5 at Heritage Elementary School in Edmond.

“My students do more than study music: they become musicians,” McDonald said.

Every one of her third, fourth and fifth grade students plays the ukulele — including those with limited fine motor skills, who use adaptive instruments and add-on devices.

Karissa Parkhurst, choral director at Edmond Santa Fe High School, said McDonald has had an extraordinary impact on her career since the two first met when Parkhurst was a student teacher.

“She showed me how magical, compassionate and lively an elementary music classroom can be,” Parkhurst said. “She demonstrated a flourishing career that viewed elementary teaching as the great honor and responsibility it is.”

McDonald, who earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oklahoma State University, has taught music for 27 years. She’s spent 26 of them in Edmond, the city where she grew up. In 2004, she was Edmond Public Schools Teacher of the Year and a state teacher of the year finalist.

Former Heritage Elementary Principal Cathey Bugg said McDonald takes her instruction far beyond music.

“Leah uniquely connects lessons to each grade level’s regular classroom Oklahoma Academic Standards,” Bugg said. “Literacy is embedded in every lesson. Students read scores, lyrics and interact with children’s literature.”

McDonald has served in leadership positions in her school and in the state. As elementary music district facilitator, she guides and mentors other Edmond music educators, and she chairs her school’s committee for the Great Expectations professional development program. McDonald directs the Edmond Youth Chorus and was the Oklahoma Music Educators Association president from 2021-23.

“She is a gift to our profession and to her students — past, present, and future — and we should consider ourselves fortunate that she calls Oklahoma home,” Parkhurst said.

Nadine Hanefield, Great Plains Technology Center

Nadine Hanefield views respect as the foundation of her classroom.

“Every student, regardless of their challenges, has potential, and my role is to help them discover and develop it,” Hanefield said. “By fostering a safe, supportive, and skill-rich environment, I’ve seen students grow into capable, confident individuals ready for the world beyond the classroom.”

Hanefield, a service careers special education instructor at Great Plains Technology Center in Lawton, is the 2025 recipient of the Medal for Excellence in Secondary Teaching.

“Nadine exemplifies a rare blend of dedication, compassion, and innovative spirit in the classroom, helping students gain both confidence and independence through practical skills training in the service industry,” said Michelle Churchwell, an instructional support specialist at Great Plains Technology Center.

When she began teaching in the program, Hanefield found that limited job training activities had left students unengaged. After studying their interests and strengths, she introduced new focuses like soft skills training, resume building, lawn care and horticulture. Students’ interest grew, and so did their confidence.

“She teaches them to do things they never thought possible and to continue reaching for those stars after they have graduated,” said Cyndi Martin, whose daughter was one of Hanefield’s students.

Hanefield helped establish the industry-recognized HospitAbilities Certification for special education students. The test lets them demonstrate their skills for industry professionals and validate that they are job ready.

Hanefield’s students also participate in Oklahoma’s SkillsUSA competitions, where they hone and show off their expertise. The fundraising they do to cover attendance costs allows another opportunity for growth.

“One successful fundraiser is our holiday gift-wrapping project, where students meticulously follow procedures to ensure correct items are returned to the proper people and meet customer expectations,” Hanefield said. “This activity strengthens skills in customer service, organization and teamwork, and students take pride in their roles — from quality control to customer check-in.”

Hanefield, who grew up in Sentinel, earned a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and two master’s degrees from Cameron University. She taught in Lawton Public Schools for eight years; in 2016, she was named Eisenhower Middle School Teacher of the Year and was a finalist for district teacher of the year.

Hanefield also spends many hours volunteering. She is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused or neglected children and serves on the Great Plains Area Special Olympics board.

Sherry Durkee, Sand Springs Public Schools

Sherry Durkee calls school administration “one of the most fulfilling professions imaginable.”  

Durkee, superintendent of Sand Springs Public Schools, is the 2025 recipient of the Medal for Excellence in Elementary/Secondary Administration. 

“The most rewarding moments in my career occur when I witness the transformative effect of education on a child — when the proverbial light bulb goes on,” Durkee said. “Such moments encapsulate the essence of our work and underscore the importance of being a reflective leader.” 

Durkee has worked in the district since 1987. After starting out as a teacher, she had stints as a psychologist, director of special education and federal programs, and assistant superintendent before taking over as superintendent in 2016.  

Under Durkee’s leadership, the school has launched a state-of-the-art STEM academy, expanded foreign language offerings and extracurricular activities, and partnered with Tulsa Technology Center to introduce programs in manufacturing, construction and interior design. 

Durkee takes great pride in Sand Springs’ success at attracting and retaining top educators. In addition to offering a retention stipend, the school has developed initiatives like a low-cost staff daycare and an employee wellness facility. It boasts a teacher turnover rate of just 10%. 

“Mrs. Durkee’s approach is visionary, her programs are innovative, and her energy is contagious,” said Frank Cooper, a Sand Springs educator who is also a past Medal for Excellence recipient and OFE trustee. “The school family approaches every challenge with enthusiasm and the belief that each of those challenges offers an opportunity to serve. This is a direct reflection of Mrs. Durkee’s belief that everyone is important, everyone deserves dignity, and everyone needs to be served.” 

Durkee, a native of Okemah, received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oklahoma State University. She has twice been named OASA Region 5 Superintendent of the Year. 

Whitney Wagers, whose two children attend Sand Springs Public Schools, appreciates how Durkee connects with parents and takes the time to hear their concerns. 

“She understands the challenges that working parents face and has actively sought to create a supportive environment that accommodates our diverse needs,” Wagers said. “From flexible communication options with school apps, surveys, and in-person meet and greets, to engaging community events, she ensures that all families feel included and informed.” 

 

Dr. April Haulman, University of Central Oklahoma

For 50 years, Dr. April Haulman has served Oklahoma families and communities as a leader and advocate in bilingual and multicultural education.

Haulman, an education professor at the University of Central Oklahoma, is the recipient of the 2025 Medal for Excellence in Regional University Teaching.

Haulman has taught at UCO since 1983 and serves as co-coordinator of the university’s Bilingual Education/Teaching English as a Second Language Program. She has secured more than $9 million in grants for UCO to provide educational programming targeting teachers, and she was instrumental in establishing UCO’s Multicultural Education Institute, an annual professional development conference.

“With every dollar of her grants and every hour of her dedicated work, Dr. Haulman has helped teachers create spaces in which students from immigrant families feel belonging, recognition and encouragement to dream of better futures for themselves and their communities,” said former student Brian McKinney. “Like expanding ripples in the water, Dr. Haulman’s work has reshaped Oklahoma communities from the ground up.”

Haulman helped found the Oklahoma Association of Bilingual Education. She has served as the organization’s president and in other leadership positions.

Savanna L. Payne, a former student and colleague of Haulman’s, is now president of OABE. She said Haulman remained a mentor even after she left UCO for a position as an English language development program administrator for secondary schools in Oklahoma City Public Schools.

“I was always inspired by her wealth of knowledge, calm demeanor and endless positivity,” Payne said.

Haulman, whose hometown is Grand Junction, Colorado, earned her bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University and her master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.

In addition to numerous awards from UCO, Haulman has received the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission’s Human Rights Award and the Professional of the Year award from Oklahoma Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.

“Ultimately, the goal of education is not merely the transfer of knowledge but the cultivation of engaged, thoughtful citizens capable of navigating and contributing to a complex world,” Haulman said.

Dr. Jennifer Rudd, Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Jennifer Rudd believes storytelling is essential for her students’ learning.

“As a profession, veterinary medicine attracts compassionate and curious individuals, so it cannot be surprising that care and curiosity spark their interests as well,” Rudd said. “Stories offer a chance to connect and care. … They not only allow the messy, but they invite it in and use it to build an experience that feels relatable.”

Rudd, assistant professor of veterinary microbiology at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, is the recipient of the 2025 Medal for Excellence in Research University Teaching.

Dr. Lauren Seggerman, one of Rudd’s former students, said Rudd embodies the veterinary college’s core values of communication, integrity, accountability, teamwork and leadership.

“She consistently goes above and beyond her responsibilities as a professor, advisor and researcher, ensuring her students are well-prepared for their clinical year and future practice,” Seggerman said. “Her dedication has a profound impact on the learning experience of every student.”

Five classes of OSU veterinary students have chosen Rudd to receive the outstanding class teacher award. She has won numerous awards from the university, including the OSU Regents Distinguished Teaching Award in 2023.

Rudd wants her students to be active learners. She uses techniques such as interactive games, hands-on activities and group discussions to help them grasp the material.

“Her ability to convey complex concepts in an understandable and engaging manner is unparalleled,” said Dr. Justin Snook, a former student who’s now an associate veterinarian in Catoosa.

Rudd, a Stillwater native, earned her bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from OSU. She practiced as a veterinarian for several years before returning to the school to complete a Ph.D. in veterinary biomedical sciences and joining the faculty. She is working toward a master’s in teaching, learning and leadership from OSU.

“Beyond her classroom teaching and research, Dr. Rudd is a committed mentor to her students, guiding graduate and veterinary education research projects,” said colleague Brandy Close. “She has served as a research advisor to numerous students, helping them navigate the complexities of veterinary microbiology and encouraging them to pursue their own research interests.”

Leah McDonald, Edmond Public Schools
Nadine Hanefield, Great Plains Technology Center
Sherry Durkee, Sand Springs Public Schools
Dr. April Haulman, University of Central Oklahoma
Dr. Jennifer Rudd, Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine

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