OK-Thrive builds strong foundations for Oklahoma's new teachers

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Media Contact: Christy Lang | Director, Marketing and Communications | 405-744-9740 | christy.lang@okstate.edu

The Retention of Innovative Educators (OK-Thrive) is making a difference in the teacher shortage crisis across Oklahoma.

With more than one in three new teachers leaving the profession by their third year, and nearly half exiting within their first five years, OK-Thrive is working to reverse this trend through the university-based coaching program providing targeted support to novice teachers. 

Initially launched in 2022 as a pilot program focused on Oklahoma State University graduates, OK-Thrive demonstrates the university's commitment to its land-grant mission of service to Oklahoma communities. The program helps new teachers build solid professional foundations as they navigate challenges, develop healthy teacher identities, and grow as leaders in their schools.

Over the last three years, OK-Thrive has grown from serving nine teachers in two school districts to now serving 80 teachers across 25 school districts statewide. The program has conducted over 400 coaching sessions since its inception.

OK-Thrive director Dr. John Weaver is proud of the program's growth and impact, including a remarkable 95% retention rate among participating teachers. 

“Teachers have expressed higher levels of self-efficacy, lower reports of extreme stressors, and higher levels of job satisfaction.” 

Caleb Davis is one of those teachers. He teaches fifth grade at Westwood Elementary in Stillwater and has participated in OK-Thrive for the last three years. In 2025, he was named Westwood’s Teacher of the Year.

"OK-Thrive provided me with coaching while I navigated those experiences that teacher education was unable to prepare me for. The program served as guidance that developed and adjusted as my needs and challenges did," Davis said.

OK-Thrive was designed as a partnership between Oklahoma schools/districts and OSU, functioning as a supplement to local induction efforts. By providing an additional layer of support, OK-Thrive helps bridge the gap between teacher training and classroom practice.

The program's effectiveness is due to its approach, which involves targeted face-to-face professional development sessions, participation in a professional community focused on collaboration, and personalized coaching sessions.

"Through the highs and lows of my first three years of teaching, my coach has been there as a relentless support system," Davis said. "My coach helped guide my own self-reflection to find solutions to issues that I would have spent weeks or months trying to solve independently."

The coaching's non-evaluative nature has proven especially valuable for new teachers navigating the difficulties of their early career years.

"Being able to have a person who is completely outside and not attached to your school to use as a sounding board is incredibly helpful," said Gabbie Briscoe, a third-grade teacher at Highland Park Elementary in Stillwater. "I was offered support and encouragement from a non-biased, non-evaluatory figure. It took the stress of being honest and upfront about our experiences out of the equation."

OK-Thrive addresses challenges like isolation and burnout during the early stages of the career head-on through its community-building approach.

"Often, burnout and the feeling of being overwhelmed and alone in those first couple of years have a huge impact on teachers," Briscoe said. "OK-Thrive creates a community of educators who are all on the same page and walking similar paths. I didn’t feel alone as a beginner educator even when I was surrounded by veteran teachers at my school."

For Davis, the impact on his career trajectory has been profound. 

"Anyone in or considering the education field knows education is not an easy job,” Davis said. “OK-Thrive has helped me push through these challenges and grow from them instead of dwelling on them. Because of this, I have no doubt that I will continue to be an educator in Oklahoma for years to come."

Briscoe agreed.

"I was hesitant to join OK-Thrive when it began in 2022. I thought it would be stressful and just another thing for me to juggle during my first year of teaching," Briscoe said. "I was wrong. OK-Thrive created an opportunity to continue my growth as an educator in a casual space and with no strings attached."

Both teachers enthusiastically recommend the program to any future educator worried about what challenges the career might bring. 

"If I could tell prospective teachers one thing about the OK-Thrive program, it would be to take full advantage of it,” Davis said. “The program is one of the most valuable support systems that I have had in my few years as a teacher. It has played a pivotal role in who I am as an educator and where I am headed in my career."

OK-Thrive demonstrates OSU’s commitment to future teachers.

“Through this program, we are able to say to prospective students that not only will we work to provide you a great undergraduate experience while preparing you for your classroom, but we will go even further, and are committed to encouraging you as you make the transition from training to practice,” Weaver said. 

CEHS alumna Gina Bridwell and her husband Tucker have generously supported the OK-Thrive Program Fund because they recognize the importance of retaining quality teachers.

“Teachers are a gift to their state. Tucker and I are pleased to help support the OK-Thrive program, which has proven successful in keeping excellent teachers in their profession during those critical first three years.”

Looking toward the future, OK-Thrive has ambitious expansion plans to put OK-Thrive in additional districts and expand eligibility to emergency and alternatively certified teachers. 

To learn more about how you can give to support OK-Thrive, contact OSU Foundation Senior Director of Development Sheri Carter at scarter@osugiving.com or 405-612-9637.

Story By: Jillian Walker | jillian.walker@okstate.edu