Share a little bit about yourself! Where are you from and how did you end up where you are now?

I graduated from Gruver High School in Gruver, TX. My future husband, Winston, was in the US Army when I graduated from Panhandle State University, so I soon found myself living a military life. Winston was stationed at Ft. Polk, LA when I began my teaching career at Leesville Junior High in Leesville, LA. After the service we spent a few years farming in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle area. Winston and I moved to Clinton, OK in 1980 so that he could work in his dad’s seismograph business. When our third child was entering Kindergarten, I decided I was ready to go back to the classroom. I was fortunate to be financially able to stay at home with my children when they were young, but I was ready for the challenge and joy of teaching again.

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

Mr. Looper, my high schol chemistry teacher and my university biology professor, Dr. Ramon, believed in my abilities and motivated me to succeed. I graduated high school wanting to be a medical technologist. In college, I declared a biology major and a job as a teaching assistant directed me towards a career change: teaching!

Where did you attend college?

I attended college at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, in Goodwell, OK, and graduated with a BS in biology with a minor in chemistry and education. I received my Master’s in Educational Administration at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and have almost completed a Masters in Natural Science Education.

How many years have you been teaching?

I have been a certified classroom teacher almost 35 years — not counting time as a lab teaching assistant and substitute teaching.

What grades and subjects are you currently teaching?

Western Technology Center is a partner with 14 rural Oklahoma schools and our Biomed students are Juniors and Seniors from these schools. I currently teach Human Body Systems, Concurrent General Chemistry from credit at SWOSU, and Honors Physics.

The resources provide teachers with material such as new video or background information about something in the oil industry.

What else do you enjoy doing besides teaching? Any hobbies

I enjoy being with my family and grandbabies. I also enjoy reading, cooking, and making stained glass art pieces.

What is your favorite part of the OERB curriculum?

I love Core Science but all of the curriculums provide rich activities and conections to our Oklahoma oil and gas heritage.

Do your students have a favorite lesson in the OERB curriculum you teach?

Students always enjoy the Core Science activity called “From Crude to Refined.” Students are always surprised when the grape ester is separated from the original mixture!

What is your favorite part about OERB HomeRoom?

The Resources! The resources provide teachers with material such as a new video or background information about something in the oil industry. And HomeRoom provides a place for teachers to connect with other teachers!

Share a favorite moment during your teaching career?

I have experienced many wonderful moments but the “Aha” moment when a student suddenly realizes that they do understand a concept always lets me know that my hard work has been effetive. It is so rewarding for students to return after graduation and say how much they really appreciate all the “hard stuff” that we did in class and how it helped them be successful in a college class. My students trials and successes are measurements of the learning process they experience in my classroom.