Bristow Public Schools would like to congratulate all of BPS sites Teacher of the Year Recipients. It is hopeful that they will all take the next step and apply to be our Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year. BPS has some outstanding educators in Bristow. The High School Teacher of the Year is Shannon Hilburn
Shannon has been teaching in Bristow for 21 years. Teaching is what he has wanted to do since he was in 3rd grade. Even after teaching for many years, he continues to learn and use different and unique methods of teaching. Shannon has been the OSSAA Coach of the Year, and has led the track team to 3 state championships and 2 runners-up finishes. Getting up to teach excites Shannon, who knows that every day is a gift from God.
Samantha Thomas
Samantha Thomas is the Middle School Teacher of the Year. She teaches 8th grade reading. Samantha believes that love is an essential foundation in her classroom. Her students know that regardless of their actions, she still believes in their selfworth and loves them. She lets her students know that she is also learning from them. She wants her students to be contributing members in our community and tries to instill work ethic in their lives. We are proud to have Samantha as a Bristow teacher.
Ashley McGovran
Ashley McGovran is our Collins Teacher of the Year. Ashley believes that to set her students up for success, it is important for them to be able to work together. Independence is admirable, but being able to communicate with others is a skill that is needed in their future. Her colleagues can see that she wants the best for each student, while striving to find the strengths each child has and working to maximize their abilities. She is a loyal member of the Collins faculty.
Angel Balenti
Angel Balenti is our Edison Teacher of the Year and District Teacher of the Year. Angel has been a teacher at Edison since 1995. She has taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, First Grade, and currently teaches T-1. Angel believes that building strong relationships with parents is just as important and critical to student success as the work she does in her classroom. Parents and teachers are partners in education. Student learning begins at home and her job is to further that learning- academically, socially and emotionally. Her colleagues say Angel is creative and innovative in her classroom and can be found on the floor getting down to their level to make sure they get the most out of lessons. Bristow is proud to announce Angel Balenti as our Bristow District Teacher of the Year.