Bristow Public Schools Teachers of the Year and Support staff of the Year

Allison Hilburn

Allison Hilburn has been teaching for 17 years. She taught English before she became the HS Media Specialist. Reading and writing has been a passion of Allison’s since she was very young. She wants to be the teacher that teaches the students not only information, but how to navigate the information that is received to help make them people of a society who can back up information with credible sources. She also wants them to have a love of reading. Allison has transformed the Media Center at the HS to be a “safe haven” for students who normally dread coming to school. It is a place where they know that they are welcome. She makes reading fun!

Scott Hall

Scott Hall has 15 years of experience. Scott wanted to be a teacher and coach because he believes it is an excellent way to make a difference in kids’ lives. He brings enthusiasm to his job. Scott tries to build a genuine relationship with his students so that they know they can trust him. Trust is the cornerstone of building a relationship with students. He believes in the quote “kids don’t care what you know until they know you care.”

Deva Darr

Deva Darr has been teaching for 18 years. Deva believes that every child can learn. They all have different learning styles and as a teacher she is continuously looking for those things that make a difference. Deva wants to “give back to the educational system that gave so freely to her.”

Amy Baker

Amy Baker has 20 years of teaching experience. Amy’s desire to teach comes from several past teachers that she had as a student herself. Their impact on her showed her that students need to find their passion. She believes that having a nurturing environment in the classroom not only better engages students, but helps their social development. She hopes her students will use their voice to make an impact on the world around them. Past students say they loved her class because she made them feel special. Bristow is proud to have her as our District Teacher of the Year.

Support Staff of the Year

Tracy Wilson Edison

Tracy Wilson has been an employee of Bristow Public Schools for eight years. For the first seven years, she worked as the Library Media Paraprofessional at Edison. This year, she transitioned to the Attendance Clerk position where she loves doing office work and helping the students and staff. Tracy attended Schulter High School and then graduated from Northeastern State University with a Fashion Marketing degree and a minor in business. She’s been married to her husband, Ewynn, for 27 years. They have a son, Austin, that’s 26 years old and a graduate of Bristow High School, a daughter-in-law, Kassi, and a daughter, Sarah, who is a sophomore at BHS. She is really enjoying her new position at Edison.

Samantha McDaniel Collins

Samantha McDaniel is the Library Media Paraprofessional at Collins Elementary and has been employed with the district for four years. Her first year with the district, she worked in the Literacy Lab at Edison. Samantha loves the daily interaction with the kids and being able to pour into their little lives, even if it’s only for a few minutes a day, and she enjoys getting to know each of them by name and learning their individual personalities. Working at Collins has been a pure joy for Sam. She has four boys that attend Bristow Public Schools: Hunter and Dakota are at the high school, Logan is at the middle school, and Jaxon is at Collins. She also has a two year old daughter, Willow, who is the boss of all of them. Samantha is thankful for a great team who works so well together and always supports one another to create a positive work environment.

Teresa Ledgerwood Middle School

Teresa Ledgerwood is the site secretary for Bristow Middle School. She has worked for Bristow Public Schools for sixteen years and was the MS Registrar/Attendance Clerk before moving to her current position. Teresa loves getting to know the kids at her school and watching them grow over the three years they are there. She also loves her coworkers. Teresa is married to her husband, Curtis, and they have 2 grown children, Connor and Dayton. She has enjoyed all sixteen years that she has worked at Bristow Public Schools and as a Pirate alumni believes, “Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate!”

Erin Dobrinski High School

Erin Dobrinksi has been an employee of Bristow Publics Schools for six years and is the site secretary at the high school. For the first three years of her employment with the school, she was the high school Attendance Clerk. Erin loves all of the kids and the staff and believes that the high school is a great place to work. She enjoys when her desk is cleaned off and her to-do basket is empty. Erin is a graduate of Bristow High School along with her husband, Levi, and three boys: Carter, Caleb, and Cord (a senior this year). Erin likes that she can come to work each day and have fun.

Danine Smith Shared Support

Danine Smith is the JOM tutor at the middle school and high school and has been employed by Bristow Public Schools for fourteen years. Before becoming the JOM tutor, Danine worked as a substitute, bus aide, special needs paraprofessional, and a bus driver. She thoroughly enjoys working with her students and also loves a good cup of coffee. Danine attended Bloomington High School in Bloomington, California. She is married to her husband, Alan, and has three adult children and three grandbabies. Danine feels like she is truly where she’s supposed to be.

Once a Pirate Always a Pirate!