By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
Twelve finalists are getting ready to find out who will represent the school district as Yukon’s top educator.
Yukon Public Schools’ will announce its 2023 district “Teacher of the Year” this Thursday, April 27. The special event starts at 6 p.m. inside LifeChurch-Yukon, 1101 E Main.
The Yukon school district’s 2023 Teacher of the Year finalists are:
- Surrey Hills Elementary School – Maegan Barnes
Barnes is a kindergarten teacher with an Early Childhood Education degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.
- Parkland Elementary School – Kristi Boyanton
Boyanton is a pre-kindergarten teacher with an Elementary Education degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and a master’s in Educational Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma.
- Yukon High School School – Dusty Crabtree
Crabtree is an English teacher with an Education degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.
- Lakeview Intermediate School – Lena Kofoed
Kofoed is a fourth-grade teacher with an Elementary Education degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
- Shedeck Elementary School – Mallory Kozan
Kozan is a third-grade teacher with an Elementary Education degree from Oklahoma State University.
- Skyview Elementary School – Jennifer Moon
Moon is a second-grade teacher with an Early Childhood degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.
- Redstone Intermediate School – Stephanie Parker
Parker is a library media consultant with bachelor’s and master’s in Education degrees from the University of Central Oklahoma.
- Myers Elementary School – Allison Scott-Colthrap
Scott-Coltharp is a second-grade teacher with an Elementary Education degree from Oklahoma State University.
- Central Elementary School – Staci Sperry
Sperry is a kindergarten teacher with an Early Childhood degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
- Yukon Middle School – Donna Stamp
Stamp is a special education teacher with a Special Education degree from West Texas A&M University.
- Ranchwood Elementary School – Cori Stricker
Stricker is a special education teacher with an Early Childhood Education degree from Oklahoma State University and master’s in Educational Administration.
- Independence Intermediate School – Kaitlyn ‘KaSi’ Wiggins
Wiggins is a sixth-grade math teacher with an Elementary Education degree from Northeastern State University.
SELECTED BY PEERS
These 12 YPS teachers were selected last fall by their peers as building site winners for the 2022-23 school year.
They advanced as finalists to the district-wide competition.
A committee has reviewed portfolios submitted by the 12 site representatives and interviewed finalists before selecting the YPS district winner.
This year’s honoree will succeed 2022 YPS Teacher of the Year Tashina Vest, a first-grade teacher at Ranchwood Elementary School.
The Yukon school district has had two Oklahoma state Teacher of the Year winners – Rebecca Oglesby in 2019 and Jane Kennedy in 1985.
Eight YPS teachers have been state finalists – Keri Smith in 2020, Kayleen Browning in 2009, Karen Evans in 2004, Julia Wilhite in 2002, Mac DeVilbiss in 1999, Kathy Davis in 1998, Linda Knox in 1996, and Susie Grimes in 1995.
The Yukon school district recently named Yukon High School English teacher Hannah Hodge as its 2023 “Rookie Teacher of the Year” and Independence Intermediate staff member Star Brazell as “Support Employee of the Year.”
