Test Your Knowledge

Take a shot at the new Global Literacy Quiz by Newsweek and see how much you know about the world around us.

2009 Teacher of the Year Finalists

Yesterday, State Superintendent Sandy Garrett announced the 2009 Teacher of the Year Finalists. Congratulations to these 12 outstanding teachers:

- Sherilynn Admire of Midwest City Public Schools. Admire teaches severe to profoundly disabled special education students at Soldier Creek Elementary and has 31 years experience in education.

- Debbie L. Flowers of Meeker Public Schools. Flowers teaches first grade at Meeker Elementary and has 22 years experience in education.

- Betsy Ellen Glad of Union Public Schools. Flowers teaches third grade at Cedar Ridge Elementary and has 26 years experience in education.

- Matthew Holtzen of Enid Public Schools. Holtzen teaches U.S. History and political science at Enid High School and has 10 years experience in education.

- Valorie Ann Lewis of Stigler Public Schools. Lewis teaches third grade at Stigler Grade School and has 14 and a half years experience in education.

- Cheryl McCord of Jenks Public Schools. McCord teaches Spanish at Jenks High School and has 31 years experience in education.

- John Daniel “Dan” Nolan of Norman Public Schools. Nolan teaches Current Issues, International Problems and Advanced Placement European History. He also teaches GED classes for ages 16 to 70 and has 16 years experience in education.

- Denise Radcliff of Claremore Public Schools. Radcliff teaches Anatomy and Physiology, Pre-Advanced Placement and AP Biology, and the Principles of Biomedical Sciences at Claremore High School. She has 10 years experience in education.

- Mandy Rowley of Woodward Public Schools. Rowley teaches first grade at Cedar Heights Elementary and has 11 years experience in education.

- Phillip R. Scott of McAlester Public Schools. Scott teaches Biology I, Astronomy, Conceptual Physics and Advanced Placement Physics, and has 12 years experience in education.

- Heather Sparks of Oklahoma City Public Schools. Sparks teaches Algebra I and Pre-Algebra at Taft Middle School and has 15 years experience in
education.

- Nolan Watson of Cache Public Schools. Watson teaches 6th grade social studies at Cache Middle School and has 11 years experience in education.

Books to Read Before You Die

This is a list created to help enhance your reading before death. While I've enjoyed some of the books, I don't know if they're ones needing to be that high on your reading list.

Reading habits are so different it would be hard for me to come up with a list like the aol one. I'm going to have to give it some thought.

Lesson Plans from National Geographic

Lesson Plans of the Month (by Grade Level)
Human/Animal Relationships
Virunga Gorilla Classroom Companion
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K–2: Whooping Cranes and Their Human Friends
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6-8: Working Together for the Manatee
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3–5: Really Wild Animals: Will People Change Them Forever?
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9-12: Wildlife Conflicts

The Final Day of the '08 RA

The last day included a great deal of work and an opportunity to say good-bye to outgoing President Reg Weaver.

A special video was put together about Reg and we all enjoyed watching him at work. Reg stayed around for pictures with delegates at the conclusion of the meeting.

Also during the day, we heard from the national teacher of the year, Michael Geisen from Oregon. Michael delivered a humorous and moving speech and education. Based on what I heard, he sounds like a great teacher.

When the RA ended, OEA's NEA Director, Greg Johnson, announced he will be running for a spot on the executive committee. There will be two openings and the election will occur next July in San Diego.

Day 3 @ the RA-July 5th

After about one hour of work on new business items, the delegates to the RA were addressed by Senator Barrack Obama. Yesterday delegates were asked to vote on whether the NEA should recommend the candidacy of Senator Obama to its members. The yes vote was nearly 80 percent.

Senator Obama received the recommendation after a long process that started over a year ago. Candidates were asked to fill out a questionnaire, interview with President Weaver, and appear at the 2007 RA in Philadelphia. All viable Republican and Democratic candidates were contacted. All eight of the Democrats followed through, but sadly, only 1 Republican, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee made the effort.

The delegates look forward to a presidential candidate who supports teachers, kids, and schools and is willing to address the areas of concern NEA members have with NCLB.

On Day 2, we also elected a new Secretary-Treasurer to, Becky Pringle, from Pennsylvania to fill out the leadership team of President-elect Dennis Van Roekel and Vice-President-elect Lily Eskelsen.

To fill out the executive committee, two members were elected, Princess Moss of Virginia, and Len Paolillo of Massachusetts.

Happy Birthday America-Day 2 at the RA

Independence Day at the RA is always something special. In the middle of the business session, the NEA Choir, made up of educators from all of the state affiliates presented a medley of patriotic songs. AT one point in the program, NEA Executive Director John Wilson called all teachers of the year and national board certified teachers to come down from their seats and join him on stage during the singing of a special song tribute to them about heroes.

After the meeting today, many of our delegates will venture out to various areas in the District to see the Independence Day fireworks.

Have a great evening.

Day 1 at the 2008 RA

The 2008 RA started on Thursday with a 7pm caucus meeting for our delegates. While the caucus got under way early, it was an even earlier start for members of the New Business committees as their day started at 6am. The members of the committee discuss issues and take positions on them before bringing them to the entire delegation to debate.The caucus ended at 9am and we all boarded the buses and headed to the convention center.

The highlight of the day was President Reg Weaver's final keynote address. As usual, his words were uplifting and motivational.

We also had the opportunity to hear from Governor Mike Easley of North Carolina who talked about the great commitment his state has made to education. Governor Easley received the first America's Greatest Education Governor Award.

Human & Civil Rights

Members of the Oklahoma Education Association were in attendance at the 2008 NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards Ceremony as community champions from across the country were being honored for their efforts to preserve human and civil rights. Twelve NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards were given to educators, community activists and students who have advanced the cause of equal opportunity for all, improved relationships between diverse groups in public schools, and expanded educational opportunities for minority students and educators.

Among the highlights was the Presidential Award selected by Reg Weaver. The winner this year was Chris Gardner whose inspirational story was told in the movie Pursuit of Happyness.

And a special surprise presentation went to Reg for his commitment to human and civil rights too.

Oklahoma Night Out 2008

The start of activities for the Oklahoma delegates to the Representative Assembly started yesterday with a dinner and evening tour of the monuments. As the sun went down, the lights on the monuments came on and we got to view them in a different way. Two of Putnam City's delegates, Katherine Bishop and Eric Winkle, are standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background. Oklahoma will be represented by 113 members from across the state.