Teacher of the Year

Rick Hoover - NewsPress

May 13, 2008 11:31 am

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Denise Ferrell was an education major in college because she wanted to be a better baton twirling teacher.
That’s a sign of the dedication she has to her students — no matter the subject — and is one reason why Ferrell was named Stillwater Public Schools teacher of the year on Monday.
Ferrell attended Oklahoma State University on a twirling scholarship and gave private twirling lessons for a time. Once her children started school, she updated her credentials and has now taught 16 years in the district.
Ferrell is the art teacher at Skyline Elementary School this year, but has previously taught first through third grades. Fellow teacher Natalie Fluty, who spoke during Monday’s “Celebration of Teaching” at Meditations, said Ferrell “is the epitome of a team player.”
“She is so excited about learning and life and this transfers to her students,” Fluty said. “I have seen Denise ignite a spark in so many students that they didn’t know was there.”
After she was announced as teacher of the year, Ferrell said all teachers rely on the other people in their buildings and that she still depends on many of the people at Skyline each day.
“I happen to be in the limelight right now,” Ferrell said. “But I am by no means the best teacher.”
The woman who started out wanting to be a better twirling coach will represent Stillwater in the state teacher of the year competition. That winner will be announced next school year.
Selena McCroskey, from Stillwater Middle School, and Brenda Rhoades, from Will Rogers Elementary, were the other finalists for teacher of the year.
Other school teachers of the year are:
• Jamie Bellah, Richmond Elementary;
• Debbie Dawson, Stillwater High;
• Carla Harnly, Lincoln Academy;
• Carolyn Confer, Sangre Ridge;
• Beckie Rogers, Junior High;
• Sandy Crocker, Highland Park;
• Amanda Grimes, Westwood.
Also honored Monday were new National Board certified teachers. Assistant Superintendent Diana Leggett said Stillwater has 68 nationally certified teachers, plus eight speech pathologists who also are nationally certified. The district is sixth in the state for number of certified teachers, and first for the percentage of teachers who are certified.
The new board certified teachers named Monday are: Fluty, Deann Liebenau, Pamela Norris, Rebecca Bair, Jayne Williamson, Janet Anderson, Michelle Biggs, Angie Jones, Deborah Dawson, Becky James, Kari Quigley and Claudia Mornhinweg.
Assistant Superintendent Jim Ryan, who was the master of ceremonies during the event, also honored the district’s teachers who are retiring this year, including: Mary Ellen Holley, Peggy Zeroski, Julie Moomaw, Jenny Nelson, Judy Nelson, Linda Sholar, Lois Stern, Linda Thomas, Ann Villines and Judy Ramsey.

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