Celebrating Teachers: Jenks Teacher Honored with OSU Mentor Educator Award

Monday, February 1, 2016

Staff in the OSU College of Education recently worked with Jenks West Intermediate Principal Michelle Sumner to surprise sixth grade math and science teacher Brenda Wilson during a school assembly and present her with the OSU Outstanding Mentor Educator Award. Part of an OSU College of Education effort to celebrate teachers, the Outstanding Mentor Teacher Award recognizes and rewards excellence among educators who mentor OSU teacher candidates during their in clinical practice student teaching internships.

“Congratulations to Brenda Wilson, an outstanding math and science teacher and a deserving recipient of this award.Mentor educators are vitally important to the work we in the College of Education do to prepare future teachers,” Interim Dean Dr. Robert Davis said. “We are fortunate to work with so many passionate and talented educators who are willing to invest in our students.” 

On January 29, fifth and sixth grade students and school staff, decked out in orange to celebrate a Polar Plunge fundraising effort, gathered for a school-wide assembly. Sumner, a two-time OSU College of Education graduate, revealed the surprise to Wilson and she was presented with an award plaque, gift basket, balloons and flowers to recognize her work as an outstanding mentor teacher. OSU mascot Pistol Pete joined the fun as well, greeting Jenks West Intermediate students and staff and posing for pictures. 

Beginning this semester, one mentor educator from three categories – elementary/ early childhood education, secondary education, and Other/PK-12 – will be selected and recognized at his/her respective school site. Wilson is the winner in the elementary/early childhood category. Sumner and Kylie Hall, who worked under Wilson during her student teaching internship last fall, nominated Wilson for the honor.

Winners for Secondary Education and Other/PK-12 will be announced later this month.