Awards

"Creating Effective Citizens...One Student At A Time."

Seeking Recognition for Social Studies Teachers of Oklahoma!

Each year, OCSS seeks nominations for annual awards, including "Outstanding Teacher of the Year"
(Elementary, Secondary, and Higher Edc.) as well as our "Rising Star" Award.
OCSS is proud to recognize exceptional classroom social studies instruction!

If you are interested in applying, or would like to nominate a colleague,
the following forms can be downloaded:

APPLICATION FORM

AWARDS CRITERIA INFORMATION

OCSS Teacher of the Year Awards 2012
	Mike Adkins Memorial Friend of Social Studies Award, Ms. Rita Geiger, retired Curriculum Coordinator and former Oklahoma State Director of Social Studies; Congratulated by OCSS President, Kelly Curtright
	Oklahoma Council for Social Studies Service Award Mr. Jim Murphree, retired teacher and Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Norman Public Schools
	OCSS Teacher of the Year Ms. Diane Walker, Muskogee Public Schools
	OCSS Rising Star Award Mr. Clayton Canon, Putnam City Schools
	OCSS Higher Education Educator of the Year Dr. Jennifer Holloway, Cameron University

OCSS Teacher of the Year Awards 2011

	Secondary Teacher of the Year Joe Roberts, Edmond Public Schools
	Elementary Teacher of the Year Diji Duggar, Moore Public Schools
	Rising Star Teacher of the Year Lacey Goodger, Edmond Public Schools
	Mike Adkins Memorial Friend of Social Studies Bill Sutton, Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Mid-Del Public Schools
OCSS Teacher of the Year Awards 2010
Elementary Teacher of the Year Randy Utt, Putnam City Public Schools
Middle School Teacher of the Year Cathy Lyon, Edmond Public Schools
High School Teacher of the Year	Gary Gress, Norman Public Schools
Higher Education Award Dr. David Buckner Oklahoma State University
OCSS Service Award Brenda Chapman, Putnam City Schools
Mike Adkins Memorial Friend of Social Studies Award, Mary Oppegard, Shawnee
*Many Thanks to Outgoing OCSS President, Matt Holtzen, Enid*

OCSS Teacher of the Year Awards 2009

Rising Star Award: Torie York, Edmond Public Schools
Secondary Teacher of the Year: Eloise Blanton, Mid-Del Public Schools
Elementary Teacher of the Year: Janet Cook, Laverne Public Schools
Friend of Social Studies: Kelly Curtright, State Director of Social Studies, Oklahoma Dept. of Education
OCSS Service Award: Jane McConnell, Law-Related Education, Oklahoma Bar Association

OCSS Teacher of the Year Awards 2008

Rising Star Award: Natalie Slayton, Cheyenne Middle School, Edmond
Elementary Teacher of the Year: Holly Crawford, Fairview Public Schools

Supreme Court Teacher and School of the Year

Every year, the Law-related Education Department at the Oklahoma Bar Association recognizes
classroom teachers and schools for exceptional efforts in teaching citizenship.

Both awards receive a cash prize of $1,000 and trophy presented in February
at the Supreme Court of Oklahoma.
Applications are available online.

http://www.okbar.org/public/lre/awards.htm

PHOTO GALLERY of OCSS AWARD WINNERS Congratulations to past recipients of the Oklahoma Council for the Social Studies' Awards!
"Rising Star" Teacher of the Year Ms. Kimberly Hood, Edmond North High School (pictured with Awards Chair Shirley Nero)
Secondary Teacher of the Year Jan McClaren, Claremore High School
Elementary Teacher of the Year Aimee (Cornish) Pando, James Dennis Elementary Putnam City Schools In Memory (1975-2011)
OCSS Service Award Ms. Julie Guild, Carl Albert Jr. High, Mid-Del Schools

Oklahoma Curriculum Coordinators Recognized by NSSSA Congratulations to two dedicated curriculum leaders and OCSS members as recipients of the National Social Studies Supervisors Association award:

Pam Merrill, Social Studies Specialist, Edmond Public Schools.	Rita Geiger, retired, Social Studies Coordinator, Norman Public Schools.

OKLAHOMA TEACHER SELECTED AS NCSS
TEACHER OF THE YEAR

We are proud that OCSS member, Ms. Patti Harrold of Edmond Memorial High School was selected as the National Council for the Social Studies' Outstanding Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2004.

Ms. Harrold teaches AP European History and Sign Language at Memorial where she also serves as Social Studies Department Chair. In addition to her many hours of dedication to Memorial's Social Studies Department, Ms. Harrold also contributes her time, effort, and expertise to Edmond's District Social Studies Vertical Team and as a founding leader of the Oklahoma Council for History Education.

National American History Teacher of the Year Awards

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History recognizes one teacher in each state as exceptional educators.

State winners receive $1,000 and a core archive of history materials for their school library.
The winner,together with the nominating supervisor, will be flown to Washington, DC, for recognition.
For any questions, contact State Director of Social Studies Curriculum, Kelly Curtright.

OKLAHOMAN WINS NATIONAL
ELEMENTARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR!!

OCSS is proud of fellow member and elementary teacher from Arnett Public Schools, Linda Gunsaulis, for recognition as the National Council for Social Studies' "Outstanding Social Studies Elementary Teacher, 2003." Her innovations in the classroom, especially in the area of integrating children's literature, are featured at a special session during this Winter's OCSS Conference.
Read about her!

PAST RECIPIENTS OF OCSS AWARDS

	Elementary Teacher of the Year Sandy Forrest, Edmond Public Schools
	Middle School Teacher of the Year Norma Ragsdale, Sapulpa Public Schools
	High School Teacher of the Year Patti Harrold, Edmond Public Schools
	Rising Star Award Greg Oppel, Edmond Schools Jennifer Babb, Edmond Schools Katherine Holland, Tulsa Public Schools
	Oklahoma Council for Social Studies Service Award Eugene Earsom, OKAGE Pam Merrill, Edmond Public Schools
	Friends of Social Studies Award Dr. Sue Lynn Sasser, Oklahoma Council for Economic Education David Russell, Federal Reserve Board

(Pictured above are Eugene Earsom, award recipient, Shirley Nero,
Awards Committee Chair, and Julie Guild, outgoing President of OCSS.)

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