Kirbey Dietzel, who teaches fifth-grade math and science at Jenks East Intermediate School, has been named one of the 12 finalists for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year.

Dietzel has been a teacher for eight years and has been at Jenks for six years.

All finalists were named teachers of the year for their respective districts and selected after their application packets were reviewed by a panel of educators, legislators and members of business and nonprofit organizations.

The 2020 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year will be named Sept. 17 in a ceremony at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

Beginning July 1, 2020, the honoree will assume full-time Teacher of the Year duties, which include speaking engagements and serving as Oklahoma’s teacher ambassador, encouraging others to enter or remain in the profession. The 2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, Becky Oglesby of Yukon, will continue to tour the state until July 2020.

The 2020 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalists are:

• Kari Rhoden teaches Pre-K at Oologah Lower Elementary in Oologah-Talala Public Schools. She has been an educator for 24 years and has held her current position for five years.
• Michelle Rahn teaches sixth-grade science at Will Rogers Middle School in Claremore Public Schools. She has been an educator for 11 years and has held her current position for three years.
• Cara Bowerman teaches visual arts at Edmond North High School in Edmond Public Schools. She has been an educator for six years and has held her current position all six years.
• Debbie Carlisle teaches English at Clinton High School in Clinton Public Schools. She has been an educator for 34 years and has held her current position for 30 years.
• Terri Guthridge is an English teacher at Grove High School in Grove Public Schools. She has been an educator for 20 years and has held her current position for eight years.
• Lesa Hefner teaches career readiness at Duncan High School in Duncan Public Schools. She has been an educator for eight years and has held her current position for two years.
• Elizabeth Hoggatt teaches English at Norman High School in Norman Public Schools. She has been an educator for 10 years and has held her current position for all 10 years.
• Patricia Lightfoot teaches sixth-grade reading at Weatherford Middle School in Weatherford Public Schools. She has been an educator for 37 years and has held her current position for 13 years.
• Jena Nelson teaches English at Deer Creek Middle School in Deer Creek Schools. She has been an educator for 14 years and has held her current position for two years.
• Cassandra Stauder teaches science at Dewey High School in Dewey Public Schools. She has been an educator for 12 years and has held her current position for one year.
• Katie Thompson teaches kindergarten at the Shawnee Early Childhood Center in Shawnee Public Schools. She has been an educator for six years and has held her current position for all six years.