2009 Vandever Teacher of the Year Charlie Brown is not only a good teacher, but he is also pretty good predictor.  In the days leading up to the 2010 District Teacher of the Year Reception, Brown continually encouraged Leslie Jones, Vandever’s 2010 Teacher of the Year and a finalist for the district honor to write an acceptance speech “for when they call your name out at the reception.”

Good thing Jones listened to Brown’s advice because Jones did indeed need that acceptance speech. 

After initially being overcome with emotion and surprise at hearing her name as the choice for the District Teacher of the Year honor, Jones delivered that well-prepared speech in exceptional fashion to the packed crowd at the annual Teacher of the Year reception held at the Broken Arrow High School cafeteria.

“I know I speak for many when I say being a teacher is not my job.  I am truly blessed to be able to do what I love.  Never in a million years could I have imagined getting to spend my days the way I do.  Even on the worst of days, I am reminded of what a joy, privilege, and honor it is to invest my time and energies into the lives of 10 and 11 year-olds.  I am abundantly blessed.”

The fifth grade teacher who is in her sixth year at Vandever is also abundantly blessed with a multitude of gifts and prizes thanks to her selection as the District Teacher of the Year.  The Broken Arrow Public Schools Foundation presented her with the Matt Brown award for Teacher of the Year and a check for $1000.  Broken Arrow Partners in Education also gave Jones a check for $1000 for her selection while Hahn Appliances presented her with a 32-inch flat screen TV to go along with the flip camera awarded her by Best Buy.

Other sponsors and prize donators included Arrow Flowers, Broken Arrow Education Association, Broken Arrow Public Schools, FirsTitle & Abstract Services, Inc., Flintco, Floral Have, Kay’s Gifts & Flowers, Dr. John and Kathryn Lockard, Mathis Brothers Furniture, Northeastern State University, ONG, Professional Oklahoma Educators, Quality Signs & Banners, Trigon General Contractors & Construction Managers, Inc., Walmart-East Broken Arrow, and Walmart-South Broken Arrow.

It was a great day and moment for Jones to have her mom and sister in town from Indiana to share the excitement.  Her other “school family” at Vandever was pretty pleased too, but then Mr. Brown predicted the big moment before it occurred.

“I believed in her because she is such an exciting, vibrant teacher,” Brown said.   “She has a deep love for her students and it shows through her creative, innovative teaching.  Her classroom is filled with students eager to learn.  Leslie spends countless hours preparing hands-on activities and games that make learning fun.  I am extremely proud of her and the way she has handled the pressure of the TOY process.   Leslie deserves this honor for all of her hard work and energy spent on her students.” 

High praise for the teacher who told the Teacher of the Year Reception that she actually broke out in a nervous rash during her interview for the teaching position she eventually was selected for at Vandever six years ago.

“To this day I have no idea why my principal Vicki Beckwith put her faith in me as a novice teacher,” Jones told the crowd.  “Regardless, I am grateful to her as she is the most wonderful person to work for.  Under her leadership I feel cared for, valued, encouraged, and supported.  I know our students feel the same things.”

“The faculty and students at Vandever are thrilled that Ms. Jones has been selected as BAPS Teacher of the Year,” Beckwith said. “To represent a district that is full of extraordinary teachers is quite an honor. This recognition is a credit to her devotion and talents. Leslie’s high standards and exemplary performance are among our school’s greatest assets.” 

Jones said the Teacher of the Year honor is a credit to the Vandever staff and her students.

“As I sat at my computer and tried to come up with a list of people to thanks, the faces that kept flashing through my mind were the faces of my students.  I also want to thank my incredible and amazing Vandever family.  Each and every success I have ever had in my classroom is the direct result of the work Vandever has done before me.”

Speaking of thankful, the other nine finalists (Janice Airhart-Margaret Hudson, Jeremy Bryan-NIHS, Amy Hickman-Park Lane, Joan Kelly-BAHS, Kit Parker-Rhoades, Loren Pettys-Centennial, Mendy Schanck-Leisure Park, Tammy Strickland-Haskell, Donell Wilson-Wolf Creek) not chosen for District Teacher of the Year are also thrilled with their finalist gift of $250 from the BAPS Foundation (along with a special plaque).

In addition, BAPS Foundation President Skip Mefford presented $50 checks to each of the other 15 BAPS Site Teachers of the Year (Sheryl Ree-Arrow Springs, Lea Ann Fry-Arrowhead, Tonya Standley-BA Academy, Ellen Huheey-Childers, Dana Watson-Country Lane, Shelley Olds-CL 45, Dawn Guthrie-Indian Springs, Jamie Wassom-Liberty, Lisa Calvert-Lynn Wood, Laura Smith-Oak Crest, Janice Curry-Oliver, Kathy Williams-Sequoyah, Kristin Gillespie-SIHS, Teri Callison-Spring Creek, Denise Green-Westwood).

Broken Arrow Public Schools Executive Director of Professional Development and Ancillary Instructional Services, Dawna Mosburg expressed appreciation to Professional Development staff Kathy Smith and Linda Nymeyer along with the Professional Development Teacher of the Year committee for their efforts in the TOY selection process as well in acquiring many outstanding donations from area restaurants and vendors including Arby’s, Charleston’s, Chili’s, Desi Wok, El Chico’s, Fat Cat Catering, Hideaway Pizza, Lone Star Steakhouse, Mazzios, Olive Garden, Panda Express, Panera Bread, Reasor’s, Rocket Brothers, Sana Fe Cattle Co., and Taco Mayo.

“We could not have pulled off this wonderful reception without our great committee members,” Mosburg said.  “It was a team effort.”

The attendees at the 2010 Broken Arrow Teacher of the Year Reception were also entertained and wowed by the stellar talents of the Broken Arrow High School Jazz I group under the direction of Reid Bennett.

Any other predictions from Mr. Brown?

“I think Leslie has a good chance of winning the state (Teacher of the Year competition).”

No one who attended the 2010 Broken Arrow Teacher of the Year Reception or who works alongside Leslie Jones at Vandever would argue with that prediction either.