During surprise visits to schools, Superintendent Deborah Gist, TCTA President Shawna Mott-Wright, and AFT Local 6049 President Nancy Leonard surprised ten members of Team Tulsa with the news that they have been named as finalists for 2023 Teacher of the Year or 2023 Support Employee of the Year. 

“I love having opportunities to celebrate the dedicated professionals on our team,” said Superintendent Deborah Gist. “Both our Teacher of the Year and Support Employee of the Year finalists embody excellence and go above and beyond every day to make a difference for Tulsa children and families. They are relentlessly focused on students, and I am so grateful for their extraordinary commitment to the community we serve.”

The district’s five 2023 Teacher of the Year finalists are: Hanna Al-Jibouri from Emerson Elementary School, Katie Bercher from Carnegie Elementary School, Allie Diaz from McClure Elementary School, Cindy Haley from McLain High School, and Hunter Najera from Mayo Demonstration School. 

Hanna Al-Jibouri teaches first- through third-grades at Emerson Elementary School and has been a member of Team Tulsa for 11 years. Her colleagues say that they feel lucky to get to teach alongside Hanna and that she brings joy and positivity to her students and coworkers daily. 

Katie Bercher is a special education teacher working with autism students at Carnegie Elementary School and has worked for Tulsa Public Schools for 30 years. She is passionate about including all students in the general education classroom, developing relationships with families and students, and creating a sense of belonging among staff.

Allie Diaz is a fifth-grade teacher at McClure Elementary School. She has been a member of Team Tulsa for five years. Her colleagues say that she is an incredibly present and engaged teacher, and is always speaking highly of her students and families and modeling patience, kindness, and love. 

Cindy Haley is a career and technical education teacher at McLain High School. She has been a member of Team Tulsa for five years and teaches desktop publishing, graphic design, yearbook, and photography. Her true passion is building relationships with her students and helping to foster a love of learning in them.

Hunter Najera is a fifth-grade teacher at Mayo Demonstration School. He has worked for Tulsa Public Schools for 12 years and is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. He serves on his school's leadership team and also coaches debate. Colleagues say that the high quality of Hunter’s students’ work reflects his extraordinary efforts.

“I am extremely proud of our five finalists,” said TCTA President Shawna Mott-Wright. “Teachers always give all they have to ensure that every child and family of Tulsa Public Schools has everything they need to be successful. A huge congrats to our phenomenal five finalists on their amazing accomplishment.”

The district’s 2023 Support Employee of the Year Finalists are: Melanie Copeland from Edison Preparatory Middle School, Christopher Scott from Booker T. Washington High School, Eduardo Vargas from Eliot Elementary School, Jimmie Walker from Central High School, and Lori Wixon from Webster Middle School.

Melanie Copeland is the lead sign language interpreter at Edison Preparatory Middle School, where she has worked for 14 years. Her colleagues describe her as a person who lights up every room she enters, saying that she works hard behind the scenes to make sure students get the best possible experience at Edison.

Christopher Scott is a school safety officer at Booker T. Washington High School. He joined Team Tulsa two years ago. His colleagues say that Christopher works hard to encourage students to stay focused and excel in school and beyond. He is an advocate for his community and helps students remember to take pride in their school.

Eduardo Vargas is the building and grounds site supervisor at Eliot Elementary School. He has been a member of Team Tulsa for 14 years. Eduardo’s colleagues praise him for the special friendships and relationships he has built at Eliot, and he says that he feels like he is with family when he comes to work each day.

Jimmie Walker is a paraprofessional at Central High School, where he began working three years ago. He also serves as the head girls basketball coach and a boys soccer coach. Jimmie is a Tulsa Public Schools alum, having graduated from Hale High School. His principal says that Jimmie is an amazing educator and even better person. 

Lori Wixon is an autism paraprofessional at Webster High School. She has been a member of Team Tulsa for 15 years and also coaches cheerleading for middle and high school students. Lori is a Hale High School alum and loves having the opportunity to serve her community through her work.  

AFT Local 6049 President Nancy Leonard said: “Congratulations to our five finalists on your amazing accomplishment. It is well deserved! I am extremely proud of you all as well as each and every support professional serving Tulsa Public Schools to ensure that every child, family, teacher, school leader, and team member has everything they need to be successful.”

The Tulsa Public Schools 2023 Teacher of the Year and Support Employee of the Year will be announced at a special event in May 2023.

Click here to view photos of the surprise visits, and check out the slideshow below to see photos of all our finalists.