Congratulations Tracy, we are proud to honor your dedication to students and learning!

Lower Elementary:

Sarah Hallsted

Sarah Hallsted is this year's Lower Elementary Teacher of the Year. Sarah has been in Education for the past 13 years. She has spent the past 6 years teaching Pre-K and this year is teaching Glenpool's first Pre-K blended regular education and special education class. Sarah is currently the team leader and serves on many committees within our district. Ms Hallsted has also completed multiple training courses such as the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Training and the National Geographic Certified Educator Program. Sarah firmly believes in the quote from Dr. Seuss's book, Horton Hears a Who, when Horton says. "A person's a person no matter how small!" Her Pre-K students may be young and they may not have much life experience, but they can learn and do amazing things een at the young ages of 4 and 5.

Upper Elementary:

Tracy McGowen

Tracy McGowen is this year’s Upper Elementary Teacher of the Year. Tracy’s first 6 years of teaching were with the Tulsa Public school district. She has been teaching at Glenpool Schools for the past 22 years. She has taught 1st grade, Multiage, Second Grade and is currently responsible for the Team Room. Ms. McGowen has been honored with several awards throughout her tenure at Glenpool, ranging from Educator of the Month to Leadership Recognition for Director of Extended Day in 2019. She has served on many committees while at Glenpool and is a valued employee here at Glenpool.  Passion is her greatest contribution to education. Not only does she have the passion for her students, but she also loves to help the teachers with developing strategies to help children succeed.

Intermediate:

Catherine (Katie) Plank

Catherine (Katie) Plank is this year’s Intermediate Site Teacher of the Year. Katie has been in education for 15 years. She has been with Glenpool for the past 8 years teaching LD resource and ED resource. She has served on various committees while at Glenpool and has been a presenter for our professional development seminars. Ms. Plank is a valuable resource to her colleagues and has always been a mentor to new teachers. Her philosophy of teaching is “that every student can learn something every day.” She builds strong bonds and relationships, not only with her students but with their families, helping them through their education journey.

Middle School:

Sarah Barnett

Sarah Barnett is this year’s Middle School Teacher of the Year.

Sarah has taught for 8 years, with her last 6 years at Glenpool Public Schools. Sarah teaches Special Education classes and is currently the Middle School/Intermediate Special Education Team Leader. Ms. Barnett is very involved with the committees in the middle school and is continuing her training outside of the district. She is CPI certified and a CPI trainer. Sarah builds relationships with students and takes pride in reaching the students who are unmotivated struggling students and helping them find success. Her favorite quote is, “Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they can become the best they can possibly be.”  This exemplifies her teaching philosophy.

High School:

Autumn Klugh

Autumn Klugh is this year’s High School Teacher of the Year. Autumn has been in education for 6 years and has been with Glenpool for the past 4 years. She teaches a variety of classes in the math department, but primarily Algebra. She has coached volleyball, basketball and soccer while at Glenpool, and has been a sponsor for Student Council for two years. Ms. Klugh has served on various committees and also has been a presenter for multiple professional development sessions. She prides herself on building the type of relationship where students feel comfortable talking with her in the classroom or outside the classroom.  Teaching with patience and kindness has earned her the trust and respect of all her students and is helping them find the success needed to finish high school and continue learning after graduation.