BRISTW PUBLIC SCHOOLS TEACHERS AND SUPPORT PERSONS OF THE YEAR

Kim Shockley

Edison Teacher of the Year.

Kim has taught for 21 years, 17 of those in Bristow. She currently teaches second grade. Kim’s love for learning has enabled her to earn a Masters in Early Childhood, Reading, and Library Media. She uses her degrees to help her students become better readers, and it has enabled her to incorporate new technology into her lessons. No student has ever said that school was boring if they were in Mrs. Shockley’s class according to her peers.

Jan Jays

Collins Teacher of the Year.

Jan has taught for 24 years. This is her 5th year teaching at Collins. Currently, she teaches third grade, but she has also taught fifth - 10th graders at various schools.

Jan uses the word “star” in her classroom to help teach students basic behaviors such as sit up, track the speaker, ask questions and respect those around you. Her enthusiasm for teaching helps make her students achieve success. As one of her colleagues noted, “Jan is an exceptional educator that impacts your life like no other.”

Ashley Jacobs,

Bristow High School Teacher of the Year

Ashley has five years teaching experience with four of those in Bristow teaching 11th grade English. Ashley decided to go into education because she wanted to show teenagers that it was okay to be themselves. This is an attitude she strives for each day as a teacher. A student once told her, “Mrs. Jacobs, your room feels like home - it feels safe here.” A colleague said, “Ashley has an outstanding attitude and is a bright spot for those who work with her regularly, as well as for the students as she helps them grow both academically and personally.”

Lauren Vandever

Bristow Middle School and District

Lauren has been teaching for seven years. Lauren grew up in a family of educators, so teaching is truly “in her blood.” Lauren believes that “practice makes perfect” when it comes to reading and writing instruction. It is that philosophy that Lauren uses to keep her students engaged. She loves to compare reading to being a football player - you get better with more practice, but it has to be fun and meaningful. One colleague described Lauren as “an educator that does constant self-evaluation and has the willingness to change the direction of her classroom if it benefits student learning even if it is brand new to her.” Her understanding of what drives student learning is the connection that must be made with every student. Lauren’s classroom atmosphere of community, trust, and stacks of books allow her students to take risks and find something new to learn that they love. Congratulations, Lauren, on being selected as our Bristow Teacher of the Year!