The Moore Public Schools Foundation held its annual Excellence in Education awards ceremony on April 10 at Westmoore High School. Dozens of employees and community partners were recognized as site-level 2024-25 Teachers of the Year, Educational Support Professionals of the Year, the five District Finalists for 2025 Teacher of the Year were honored, and school site Patrons of the Year were honored.
MPSF Executive Director Lizzy Bozarth led the program and MPS Superintendent Dr. Robert Romines welcomed the guests and nominees, speaking to how inspired he is by their work and dedication to the district and MPS students.
Brink Junior High Deaf Education teacher Tobi Gordon was named the 2025 District Teacher of the Year. She received the award from the 2024 District Teacher of the Year, South Lake Elementary Teacher Taylor Woodard.
Gordon explained, "My work as both a deaf education teacher and educational interpreter has allowed me to make meaningful contributions to the teaching profession by mentoring future educators, fostering collaboration among staff, and advocating for inclusive and accessible, student-centered practices."
She is also highly involved in Cavett Kids, a nonprofit that works with kids who suffer from life-threatening or chronic illnesses. Gordon has worked with deaf and hard-of-hearing students for 14 years in K-12 classrooms.
Gordon will represent MPS in the Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year process and will serve as an ex-officio board member of the MPS Foundation during the 2025-26 school year.
Additionally, Apple Creek Elementary Indian Education Tutor Frances Sartin was named the 2025 District Educational Support Professional of the Year. Watch her video here: https://youtu.be/JwDwe4xi-eo
Sen. Darrell Weaver attended the program to congratulate each of the winners as he presented them with commendations from his office.
Orr Nissan Central representatives Ryan Ezell and Brandon Wheeler were present. Wheeler - a Westmoore 2004 graduate - spoke on the important role that all teachers play in growing an educated community. They honored Gordon with a $2,000 check as this year's winner and told her she has a new 2025 Nissan to drive throughout the fall semester. Additionally, Orr Nissan Central honored Sartin with a $2,000 financial gift for winning the 2025 ESP of the Year.
2025 DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS & VIDEOS
Jon Gee, Central Junior High - https://youtu.be/DmjE2g-yxs0
Tobi Gordon, Brink Junior High - https://youtu.be/Yv591xQ-rDs
Michelle Law, Heritage Trails Elementary - https://youtu.be/QgnD8OU-o60
Lori Newmark, Oakridge Elementary - https://youtu.be/8QxfmBYib68
Tamara Woodring, Briarwood Elementary - https://youtu.be/9qHOkDEILtk
SITE-LEVEL TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Apple Creek - Amanda Bartlett
Broadmoore - Kaitlin Kretsch
Bryant - Jennifer Schmitt
Central - Tracy Lucas
Earlywine - Jill Hankins
Eastlake - Heather Davidson
Fairview - Myre Walker
Fisher - Kathy Cox
Houchin - Leanna Martin
Kelley - Lorna Mills
Kingsgate - Michele Crittenden
Northmoor - Kyle Lee
Plaza Towers - Heather Morales
Red Oak - Susan Wood
Santa Fe - Jackie Witcher
Sky Ranch - Justin Geary
Sooner - Kaylee Holt
South Lake - Kimberly Ricketson
Southgate - Ginger Robison
Timber Creek - Helena Lucas
Wayland Bonds - Kennedy Harrison
Winding Creek - Kaitlyn Tinsley
Highland East - Lisa Mosmeyer
Highland West - Natalie Morris
Moore West - Shayla Lucas
Southridge - Justin Seeley
Moore - Nubia Holland
Southmoore - Amanda Deemer
Westmoore - Tiffany Truesdell
VISTA Academy - Allyson McHenry
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR
Apple Creek - Frances Sartin
Briarwood - Stephane Willeford
Broadmoore - Kathy Credicott
Bryant - Jo Beth Bailey
Central - Mary McPhail
Earlywine - Mark McReynolds
Eastlake - Nancy Rockwell
Fairview - Chelsey Klimek
Fisher - Pauline Vaezipour
Heritage Trails - Valerie Parker
Houchin - Christel Cleveland
Kelley - Julia Rumsey
Kingsgate - Renee Blount
Northmoor - Tammie Fifer
Oakridge - Suzie Spear
Plaza Towers - Maylene Sorrels
Red Oak - Angela Parkison
Santa Fe - Fayleen Dodd
Sky Ranch - Marion McCurley
Sooner - Dana Wright
South Lake - Mark Hamlin
Southgate - Amanda Beaver
Timber Creek - Michele Summers
Wayland Bonds - Kim Thompson
Winding Creek - Taylor Burnett
Brink - Yolanda Lynch
Central - Lindsay Ivie
Highland East - Kyla Myers
Highland West - Whitney Earnest
Moore West - Stefanie Hix
Southridge - Misty Scott
Moore High School - Kristanne Hatfield
Southmoore High School - Amy Drewery
Westmoore High School - Sally Wojciechowski
VISTA Academy - Tyler Davis
Administration - Deborah Williams
Child Nutrition - Joann James
Maintenance - Angel Martinez
Technology - Randall Grace
Transportation - Elizabeth Mullins
PATRONS OF THE YEAR
Apple Creek Elementary - Jessica Jones
Briarwood Elementary - Kayla Haney
Broadmoore Elementary - Debbie Hamidi
Bryant Elementary - "Woody" Jeremy Witte and Eric Sakos
Central Elementary - Elevate Church and City Church
Earlywine Elementary - Eric and Jenny Scott
Eastlake Elementary - Cyndi McConnell
Fairview Elementary - Brenna and Cliff Owens
Fisher Elementary - Cheri Bedford
Heritage Trails Elementary - Sherri Andrade
Houchin Elementary - Ashlin Easton
Kelley Elementary - Monica Killensworth
Kingsgate Elementary - Jennifer Nightingale
Northmoor Elementary - Erin Chism
Oakridge Elementary - Karin Thompson Wise
Plaza Towers Elementary - Dana Humphrey
Red Oak Elementary - Luann Wright
Santa Fe Elementary - Blake Oetting
Sky Ranch Elementary - Summer Wood
Sooner Elementary - Jerry Jeffries
South Lake Elementary - Lauren Weir
Southgate Elementary - Arvest Foundation
Timber Creek Elementary - Ashley Walker
Wayland Bonds Elementary - Melynda Affentranger
Winding Creek Elementary - Shay Majors
Brink Junior High - Donna Barnes
Central Junior High - George Assell
Highland East Junior High - Tracy Jackson
Highland West Junior High - Sgt. Jaron Ballagh
Moore West Junior High - Jenny Statler
Southridge Junior High - Just Kids Pediatrics and Angela Yaffe
Moore High School - Matthew Purser
Southmoore High School - Julie Smith
Westmoore High School - Misty Stills
Vista Academies - Jeffrey Groves
To see open teaching positions in Moore Public Schools visit our employment page or call 405-735-4000.