Putnam City High's Jody Bowie Named Finalist for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Putnam City High School physics teacher Jody Bowie is one of 12 finalists for 2012 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Janet Barresi announced today at an Oklahoma Department of Education conference at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.
 “It’s an honor to be selected as a finalist and an honor to be able to share with others the incredible things we do in Putnam City. I’m privileged to have the chance to teach, and I appreciate all of the support I receive from my family, students, colleagues and administration,” Bowie says.
Bowie’s skill as a teacher has been noted before. In March, Bowie stood before a crowd of several hundred teachers and administrators as he was named Putnam City’s Teacher of the Year. Just a few weeks before that, Bowie received a statewide honor when he was named Teacher of the Year by the Oklahoma Technology Association.
Bowie, whose entire four-year teaching career has been at Putnam City High, is recognized both for his ability to use technology to engage students in learning and for his ability to build strong relationships with students.
Bowie hooks students on learning science by capturing them with technology. He often blogs rather than lectures on a subject, requiring students to respond to his blog post and the responses of fellow students, a method that encourages all students to take an active role in class discussions. His advanced placement physics students author an online physics textbook that is now filled with dozens of concise, clear and informative entries. Students take tests using a Google Form, after which Bowie reviews a spreadsheet to see how well students understand particular concepts. From his spreadsheet, Bowie knows how to adjust instruction and focus student energies and attention.
While Bowie is ahead of the game in his use of technology for learning, at the heart of his teaching is an understanding of the importance of connecting with students.
“I believe in building strong relationships with students. Simply put, my philosophy is that I teach students first and content second,” Bowie says.
Bowie holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and bachelor’s degree in science education, both from Southern Nazarene University. He is listed in the International Edubloggers Directory and is a member of the National Association of Physics Teachers, the National Science Teachers Association and the Oklahoma Science Teachers Association.
Putnam City Schools Superintendent Paul Hurst says students benefit from Bowie’s teaching methods and abilities.
“Jody is first and foremost a dedicated, caring teacher, someone who works tirelessly to help students learn and to make himself a better teacher. He’s also someone with a deep understanding of the use and value of technology in education. Through use of technology he engages students, makes learning more meaningful and extends academic conversation beyond the classroom and beyond the school day. He is in every way an excellent educator,” says Hurst.
The winner of the state teacher of the year award will be announced by Dr. Barresi in September at the State Fair of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City.
Read more about Bowie in a March press release announcing him as Putnam City Teacher of the Year.
See video of Bowie in March being honored as Putnam City Teacher of the Year.
Read more about Bowie in a February press release announcing him as Oklahoma Technology Association Teacher of the Year.
Learn more about the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Program on the State Department of Education website.
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