Seniors at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM) honored their favorite teachers from their home district in mid-March. More than 50 teachers from across the state were honored. Six teachers from Putnam City Schools, outnumbering teachers from any other school district in the state, were recognized.
As certificates were awarded to each teacher, a personal tribute, written by his or her former students, was read aloud. Below are excerpts from the tributes written by students who attended Putnam City schools.
Teacher: Valerie Libby, Putnam City North High School
Student: Nick Eckenstein
By the time I got to my freshman year of high school, I arrogantly felt that I had learned everything I needed to know. In my debate class freshman year, Ms. Libby taught me the one thing I might never have learned anywhere else: humility. I wasn't as smart as I thought I was, and Ms. Libby always let me know that.
Her teaching style was designed to teach life lessons as well as debate. The environment in her debate room had some rules, the first of which was that Ms. Libby was always right, as she taught us skills we would need to use for the rest of our lives, like research, compiling and organizing evidence, the ever-valuable rhetorical skills, and philosophy. Philosophy in particular opened my eyes to a new way of coming to understand the world and what people can do with it. The things that always seemed to startle me about her class were the misperceptions and I had held about the real world. The ability to apply critical thinking enabled me to better see the truth of the world, sans any "spin" or flavor.
Ms. Libby didn't simply focus on debate, she encouraged us to compete in extemporaneous speaking events, which expanded our knowledge of current events and the modern world. She never gave up on any of her students, no matter what the circumstances, and the things I learned in her class are skills I still use everyday.
Teacher: Joyce Ann Foster, Northridge Elementary School
Student: Robert Haussman
To foster is to love and nurture, to harbor and raise a child as your own, teaching not only intellectual lessons, but life lessons as well. Mrs. Jody Foster truly lives up to her name. As the instructor of PEAK at Northridge Elementary School, she took gifted and talented students and guided them through their creative and scholarly exploration, raising them to be well-rounded individuals with the capability to excel in any area. In the third grade, I became one of the lucky few who had the opportunity to receive her guidance.
Every class was a new experience with unexpected outcomes. Mrs. Foster did not limit us to a straight-lined path. We followed a fractal tree in which each direction we took branched off and led us to a completely new destination. She left us with projects limited only by our imaginations, yielding such inventions as "magic retrievers" and praying mantis book holders tailor-made from socks. Upon reflection, I would never guess that some of the ideas she drew out of us came from elementary school children.
Mrs. Foster had a real talent for recognizing and amplifying students' abilities and gifts. Like our own mothers, she knew what was needed to cultivate our minds and allow us to successfully develop and achieve all the goals we could envision.
Teacher: Stan Bryant, Hefner Middle School
Student: Jordan Johnston
Mr. Bryant was certainly one of the most influential teachers that I have ever had. He was my eighth grade geometry teacher, and we learned quickly that he was different from any other teacher. He took a great interest in mathematics and also in each student that passed through the door of his class.
The one thing that definitely seemed to set Mr. Bryant apart was the fact that he would leave his cushy roller chair behind his ever-so-large and imposing desk to sit at the student desks with us. He could teach and joke with us at the same time, making us feel more comfortable in the environment. Geometry was hard enough, and through his quiet, funny demeanor, Mr. Bryant made it easier for us to learn. It was definitely his influence that encouraged me to take an active role in mathematics. He laid a solid foundation for me in future mathematical endeavors.
Mr. Bryant was truly an exceptional teacher for the interest he took in his class and his students and I would like to thank him for everything that he has done for me.
Teacher: Anne Springall, Putnam City High School
Student: Krushangi Patel
Ms. Springall, the gifted and talented coordinator at Putnam City High School, has been a compassionate friend and, in countless ways, a mother figure who taught me how to cope with the pressures of high school and life.
Ms. Springall's diligence made it possible for students to thrive even in the most difficult of environments. Ms. Springall worked from her office and chased down students with whom she needed to speak. She handled about 200 students and guided them toward their field of interest. On many occasions she handed me an application or gave me a website and worked with me until I had the application ready to be mailed. Her persistence provided the support and pressure I needed to be accepted into a variety of excellent programs.
Ms. Springall was the easiest person to find after school, for she was in her office until 8 or 9 in the evening. She was the sponsor for all academic competitions. We had weekly practices after school, and our competitions were often on weekends. She would be there waiting with donuts on Saturday morning, ready to drive us to our competition. She was our greatest cheerleader through all competitions, and her constant support helped each of us to do our best and come together as a team.
Ms. Springall has been a supportive mentor for students in all aspects of life. High school is full obstacles, and she was a friend that helped make me who I am today.
Teacher: Susan Harding
Students: Preseta Paul and Shirlene Samuel
Preseta Paul
Señora Harding made sure that we not only knew how to read and write Spanish but how to speak it well. Every couple of weeks, we were required to get up in front of the class and present an oral report on a specific topic she chose. My favorite presentation was when we were learning the future verb tense. Our assignment was to predict a classmate's future. Señora Harding gave us beaded jewelry and gaudy clip-on earrings to make it appear as if we were fortunetellers. She even turned off the lights and allowed us to use a glowing crystal ball, creating an unforgettable experience.
Going to Spanish with Señora Harding was the highlight of my day. She not only made the classroom fun but has inspired me to pursue learning Spanish in college. She caused me to love the language and the Hispanic culture. She gave me new passions, and I am truly thankful for the time that I have spent with her.
Shirlene Samuel
You can imagine my disappointment when I entered my Spanish III class only to find none of my friends there. The only thing to do was to drop the class completely. I started to do that until my friends, who had already had Señora Harding in class, convinced me it would be the worst decision I could make. The first week in her class I realized the reason my friends were determined to not let me drop the class.
Señora Harding’s class was different. She came up with the craziest ways to help us learn and use the language. Because she believed speaking Spanish was just as important as writing it, she made oral presentations a major part of our grade.
And of course with every "cool" teacher, class was not just a time for lecture or busy work. She always had a fun activity planned to take our minds off school and help us relax. She started a reading corner where the whole class could gather around her while she read to us. It was a time that, surprisingly, every high school student enjoyed.
She also taught me many life changing lessons that I will carry with me wherever I go. She made me realize how fun life can be as an adult if we continue to experience and learn about things that are unfamiliar to us. This is why she always made it a point to teach us the Hispanic culture and not just the language.
When I look back to that first day in her class, I think about how I almost missed out on one of the most influential courses I took in high school. In my opinion Señora Harding is an amazing teacher, who taught me more than I could have ever learned from any other experience.
Teacher: Summer L. Wyett, Putnam City High School
Student: Rebecca Porter
I first met my educator and friend, Mrs. Summer Wyett, in my eighth-grade year at a church retreat. She was the perfect role model for me. She had a genuine personality and always encouraged people. She was there whenever you needed help or just someone to vent to.
When I found out sophomore year that Summer was teaching my Honors English class I was ecstatic. I had had the privilege of knowing how amazing this new mysterious English teacher was before anyone else. This was her first year to teach, yet Mrs. Wyett never seemed nervous; teaching just came naturally to her. Her class had a very comfortable feeling. You could express yourself without being judged. She challenged us with thought-provoking essays and gave us useful advice on life. Mrs. Wyett broadened our view on literature and culture through different works, giving every outlook the time it deserved.
I call her Wonder Woman because she is the most well rounded person I know. Not only had she been my mentor and group leader, Summer was also my volleyball and soccer coach. She trained us hard, and would never let us leave with a bad attitude. Summer saw potential in everyone. It had been some six years since I had played soccer and she let me on the team as goal keeper. Her positive outlook and faith stuck with me through each game, always reminding me to do my best.
It is said that the most rewarding thing for a teacher is to make an impact on a student's life. Mrs. Summer Wyett has truly accomplished this. She has affected me greatly, from giving me my first B, lending me a shoulder to cry on, and motivating me at games. She has influenced my life immensely; and for that I will always remember her, forever grateful.