Atoka's Kayla Adams named Southeast Oklahoma Teacher of the Year

Apr. 4—Aeros Awards of Excellence Southeast Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Kayla Adams held back tears as she thanked her administrators and coworkers for supporting her as a teacher.

"We can't do this without y'all," Adams said. "It takes all of you."

Adams also thanked the other educators that were in the room for their roles.

"I appreciate all of you that dedicate your lives to this job," Adams said.

Along with the title, Adams was also presented a $1,000 check for her classroom from the Edwards and Patterson Law Firm in McAlester.

The Atoka Public Schools teacher was named the Aeros Southeast Oklahoma Teacher of the Year during a ceremony held Thursday evening at the Puterbaugh House in McAlester.

Julie Chin, of KJRH in Tulsa, emceed the event, which is in its second year.

"Teachers, you are rockstars every single day of the year in the classroom, in your hometown," Chin told the crowd. "So, thank you for all that you do. We are here to celebrate you."

Before the big award was announced, another teacher was named the winner of the program's Social Media Challenge.

Aeros Awards co-founder Ben Capers explained the program posted a photo of each of the 20 finalists last week on Facebook with the teacher gaining the most engagement winning a $250 cash prize.

"During the span of the last seven days, our amazing teachers received over 3,000 likes and nearly 22,000 shares," Capers said.

With an engagement score of 4,412, Shonda Tyler of Wilburton Public Schools won the Social Media Challenge.

Also awarded Thursday evening was the program's first ever Legacy Award, awarded to the late Wayne Edwards, who was a science teacher and coached softball and basketball before in Ashland and Stuart before becoming a principal in Stuart.

"His genuine care for every student; his infectious enthusiasm for learning and the steadfast belief and the potential of each individual left an enduring imprint on the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him," Aeros Awards co-founder Chris Plunkett said.

Tony Edwards accepted the award on behalf of his father and said the reason why his firm helps area teachers so much was because of his father.

"I really wish he could be here," Tony Edwards said. "So many people have told me that he was the primary reason they became teachers."

Tony Edwards also announced Thursday his law firm was establishing a $1,000 scholarship to be presented to a senior at the high school of the winner beginning next year.

The award was awarded to the teacher who scored the highest after a panel of judges consisting of area college administrators blindly judged the achievement and character of the finalists. Each finalist was only identified to the judges by a number.

"We realize this is not an easy job, that you go to work every single day because of the students," said Eastern Oklahoma State College President Dr. Janet Wansick, who explained the judging process, "And that's why you are doing to make a difference in the world and we really appreciate your impact."

Other finalists for the Aeros Awards of Excellence Southeast Oklahoma Teacher of the Year award were:

Angela Irwin — Krebs Public Schools

Kerry Davidson — Indianola Public Schools

Jennifer Lening — Holdenville Public Schools

Heather Horton — Frink-Chambers Public Schools

Tonya Venable — Eufaula Public Schools

Suzanne Caldwell — Durant Public Schools

Karen Roby — Crowder Public Schools

Karen Smallwood — Clayton Public Schools

Stephanie Duncan — Ada Public Schools

Tammy Moore — Krebs Public Schools

Shale Long — Latta Public Schools

Brenda Presley — Seminole Public Schools

Andrew Hatch — McAlester Public Schools

Kelley Burmeier — McAlester Public Schools

Rachael Winters — Whitebread Public Schools

Alisha Smedley — Poteau Public Schools

Marcia Parker — Savanna Public Schools

Kassie Ingle — Wetumka Public Schools

A second ceremony honoring teachers in Northeast Oklahoma will be held later this month in Tulsa.

More information about the Aeros Awards of Excellence can be found online at aerosawards.com and their Facebook page.