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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

bullet

Elementary Teacher of the Year
Sandy Forrest, Edmond Public Schools

bullet

Middle School Teacher of the Year
Norma Ragsdale, Sapulpa Public Schools

bullet

High School Teacher of the Year
Patti Harrold, Edmond Public Schools

bullet

Rising Star Award
Greg Oppel, Edmond Schools
Jennifer Babb, Edmond Schools

Katherine Holland, Tulsa Public Schools

bullet

Oklahoma Council for Social Studies Service Award
Eugene Earsom, OKAGE
Pam Merrill, Edmond Public Schools

bullet

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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