NSU graduates honored as Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalists

Each year one talented and deserving educator in Oklahoma is given the title of Oklahoma Teacher of the Year. The title is accompanied by an 11-month service as the Oklahoma Ambassador of Teaching, representing the state in the national competition.

As well, one high school senior in the selected teachers school district is awarded the Edward C. Joullian III $5,000 scholarship. The scholarship was established to encourage students to put an emphasis on education and to recognize the school district in which the winner of Teacher of the Year works.

This year, two NSU alumnae were selected as finalists for the recognition.

Jennifer Luttmer, who is currently a second-grade teacher at Liberty Elementary School in the Sallisaw Public School district, graduated with a bachelors degree in Elementary Education at the University of Central Oklahoma and continued her education at Northeastern State University where she completed her masters in School Administration.

Diane Walker, an educator of 21 years, currently teaches ninth and 10th grades of honors Oklahoma History, World History, Government and Geography at Muskogee High School. Walker completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at NSU earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Education in Elementary Counseling.

For both finalists in the running for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, one concept was repeatedly mentioned when it comes to a philosophy of teaching: love.

For Walker, one of the strongest qualities she believes she can share with her students is the love of learning.

As a teacher, I am a guardian of the future, Walker said. Those I teach and touch today will be leading our communities and world tomorrow. Teaching involved a continued pursuit to stay aware of trends, professional developments and new opportunities. I set an example for my students when I continue to learn as an adult.

Luttmer, who also shares a message of love, outlines a two-part equation for success as an educator.

Along with a solid classroom management system, love must play an equal role for an educator to be successful, Luttmer said. A successful educator must love her profession and love her students unconditionally.

Educators are chosen on a three-tiered system each year, starting on a local district basis. Within a district, a Teacher of the Year is selected; then six regional committees are formed to review the portfolios received and twelve finalists, two from each region, are selected.

In the selection process, judges look for district teachers of the year who know how to inspire. Proven academic success in the classroom is part of that, but certainly not all of it, Peter Wright, Communications Specialist for the Oklahoma State Department of Education said.

The teachers form connections with all of their students that go far deeper than anything in a textbook. They're creative and motivated to share what they love about their profession with everyone they meet. Its impossible to name a single best teacher in the state because there are simply too many. The Teacher of the Year program gives us the opportunity to put some of the most exemplary educators on a statewide stage and celebrate the entire profession.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16 at the Oklahoma State Fair, all nominees were recognized and Jason Scott Proctor, a ninth through 12th grade Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus and Advanced Placement Calculus teacher for Tahlequah Public Schools was chosen as the 2015 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year.

Although not named the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, Walker still felt honored to be chosen as a finalist.

Being named one of the finalists made me feel awed and humbled to represent thousands of teachers across the state who work hard every day for our state and its students in preparing them for the future, she said.

My words of wisdom to future teachers are to be the salt in the classroom. There is the old adage you can lead a horse to water, but you cant make him drink, this analogy is at times used with students and education as well. We can lead a student to education, but you cant make him/her learn. We, as teachers, must be the salt in the classroom, feed the students salt and make the students thirsty through curiosity, creativity and passion for our craft and our students.

Also remember that as a teacher, you must find professional develop that feeds you salt as well for in teaching as in life, we are never in the land of done.