Lesa Dickson, AP Language and Composition Teacher at Broken Arrow High Schoo,l has been named a finalist for the 2021 Teacher of the Year competition by the State Department of Education.

Dickson is one of 12 finalists and the only one from the Tulsa area.

 “When I sometimes consider my footprint on the world and the significance of my career, I reflect on the hundreds of children with whom I have worked, and I realize with a full heart that my contribution is as significant as any other service career I could have chosen,” Dickson said.

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

The 2021 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year will be named in February. Beginning July 1, the honoree will assume full-time Teacher of the Year duties, which include speaking engagements and serving as Oklahoma’s ambassador for teachers, encouraging others to enter or remain in the profession.

The 2020 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, Jena Nelson of Deer Creek Public Schools, will continue to tour the state until July.

2021 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalists

  • Melanie Ball, Third Grade Teacher, Cotteral Elementary, Guthrie Public Schools
  • Ginger Billman, First Grade Teacher, Richmond Elementary, Stillwater Public Schools
  • Valerie Brink, Kindergarten Teacher, Earl Harris Elementary, Bethany Public Schools
  • Jessica Eschbach, Innovative Learning Coach, Norman North High School, Norman Public Schools
  • Natalie Haworth, 10th-12th Grade Science Teacher, Durant High School, Durant Independent School District
  • Amy Lennertz, Sixth Grade Spanish/Theater Arts Teacher, Piedmont Intermediate School, Piedmont Public Schools
  • Michael Patterson, High School Speech/Debate/Drama Teacher, Guymon High School, Guymon Public Schools
  • Keri Smith, Fourth-Sixth Grade Gifted and Talented Teacher, Independence Intermediate School, Yukon Public Schools
  • Krista Starbuck, PreK-First Grade Reading Specialist, Washington Early Childhood Center, Alva Public Schools
  • Stephanie Terry, High School History/Journalism Teacher, Del City High School, Mid-Del Public Schools
  • Lori Zimmerman, Sixth Grade Language Arts Teacher, Woodward Middle School, Woodward Public Schools