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Recognizing Excellence
The Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame was constituted and incorporated in 1984 as a nonprofit organization to recognize and to honor those professionals who have exemplified a commitment to quality education while demonstrating exceptional abilities in realizing the ideals of leadership, service, and research through their contribution to Oklahoma education.
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Hall of Fame Announces 2021 Inductees
Three Oklahoma educators whose dedication to public education has benefited hundreds of thousands of Oklahoma students have been selected for induction into the prestigious Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame.
Longtime geography teacher and professor Gary Gress, state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister and former Norman Public Schools Superintendent Joe Siano will be honored at a Nov. 6 induction ceremony at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.
“We’re proud the hall of fame’s 34th class recognizes and honors a trio of educators whose contributions to public education are so varied but equally valued in a profession singularly focused on student success,” said Sharon Lease, executive director of the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame. “The pandemic has served as a powerful reminder of how central public education is to our daily lives, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to recognize the immense contributions of these three dedicated educators.”
Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame President Eugene Earsom also lauded the honorees.
“This year's inductees epitomize the qualities of professionalism, exemplary teaching, juried research, organizational leadership, and dedicated community service,” he said. “Each of them has gone above and beyond the usual calling that all educators answer to provide guidance and access to knowledge for their students, to make the way easier for those who follow them, and to touch the future."
Gress' public education career began in 1971, and he spent most of his career sharing his love of geography with students in Oklahoma City, Moore and Norman. Over the last decade, he expanded his teaching to higher education, serving as a researcher and lecturer at the University of Oklahoma.
As a leader for the National Council for Geographic Education and the Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education, Gress served a mentor to countless fellow educators. His research and publications are must-reads for those interested in geography education.
“Gary simply cares for teachers and students, invigorating them with his passion for geography inside and outside the classroom,” Jeffrey Widener, OU associate professor and director of the OU Center for Spatial Analysis, said in nominating Gress. “I have not encountered another teacher who is more deserving of this honor.”
A former public school teacher, Hofmeister is nearing the end of two-terms of distinguished service as the state’s top education official. During her seven years of service, she spearheaded efforts for two hard-earned teacher pay raises that have significantly increased educator compensation in Oklahoma.
Hofmeister, who served on the state Board of Education prior to running for public office, also has championed a variety of education reforms focused on ensuring the individual needs of Oklahoma’s public school students are met. She also helped lead and support public schools through the unprecedented and extraordinary challenges posted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Superintendent Hofmeister’s service to the state of Oklahoma and to the children of our state is truly remarkable,” Lease said. “She and our schools have faced challenges no one anticipated or could have imagined, but she has led boldly with empathy and courage to ensure the needs of students, educators and communities are top priority.”
With more than four decades in public education, Siano continues to create an enviable legacy. From classroom teacher to administrator to superintendent, Siano established himself as a visionary, consensus-building leader with an unparalleled commitment to students. He’s well known for his 17-year tenure as superintendent of Norman Public Schools, but he continues to support public education and the larger community in his retirement.
Siano serves as associate executive director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, where he provides training and mentorship to school board members and district leaders throughout the state, and on numerous community boards.
“Dr. Siano possesses one of the strongest moral and ethical foundations of anyone I know. His unflappable compass draws people toward him and makes him a leader worth following,” said OSSBA Executive Director Shawn Hime. “His commitment to Oklahoma’s children and their well-being is never in doubt; it is the lens through which he sees the world.”
For more information and ticket information, contact Dr. Sharon Lease at 405.692.3190 or sharon.lease@macu.edu.
Longtime geography teacher and professor Gary Gress, state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister and former Norman Public Schools Superintendent Joe Siano will be honored at a Nov. 6 induction ceremony at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.
“We’re proud the hall of fame’s 34th class recognizes and honors a trio of educators whose contributions to public education are so varied but equally valued in a profession singularly focused on student success,” said Sharon Lease, executive director of the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame. “The pandemic has served as a powerful reminder of how central public education is to our daily lives, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to recognize the immense contributions of these three dedicated educators.”
Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame President Eugene Earsom also lauded the honorees.
“This year's inductees epitomize the qualities of professionalism, exemplary teaching, juried research, organizational leadership, and dedicated community service,” he said. “Each of them has gone above and beyond the usual calling that all educators answer to provide guidance and access to knowledge for their students, to make the way easier for those who follow them, and to touch the future."
Gress' public education career began in 1971, and he spent most of his career sharing his love of geography with students in Oklahoma City, Moore and Norman. Over the last decade, he expanded his teaching to higher education, serving as a researcher and lecturer at the University of Oklahoma.
As a leader for the National Council for Geographic Education and the Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education, Gress served a mentor to countless fellow educators. His research and publications are must-reads for those interested in geography education.
“Gary simply cares for teachers and students, invigorating them with his passion for geography inside and outside the classroom,” Jeffrey Widener, OU associate professor and director of the OU Center for Spatial Analysis, said in nominating Gress. “I have not encountered another teacher who is more deserving of this honor.”
A former public school teacher, Hofmeister is nearing the end of two-terms of distinguished service as the state’s top education official. During her seven years of service, she spearheaded efforts for two hard-earned teacher pay raises that have significantly increased educator compensation in Oklahoma.
Hofmeister, who served on the state Board of Education prior to running for public office, also has championed a variety of education reforms focused on ensuring the individual needs of Oklahoma’s public school students are met. She also helped lead and support public schools through the unprecedented and extraordinary challenges posted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Superintendent Hofmeister’s service to the state of Oklahoma and to the children of our state is truly remarkable,” Lease said. “She and our schools have faced challenges no one anticipated or could have imagined, but she has led boldly with empathy and courage to ensure the needs of students, educators and communities are top priority.”
With more than four decades in public education, Siano continues to create an enviable legacy. From classroom teacher to administrator to superintendent, Siano established himself as a visionary, consensus-building leader with an unparalleled commitment to students. He’s well known for his 17-year tenure as superintendent of Norman Public Schools, but he continues to support public education and the larger community in his retirement.
Siano serves as associate executive director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, where he provides training and mentorship to school board members and district leaders throughout the state, and on numerous community boards.
“Dr. Siano possesses one of the strongest moral and ethical foundations of anyone I know. His unflappable compass draws people toward him and makes him a leader worth following,” said OSSBA Executive Director Shawn Hime. “His commitment to Oklahoma’s children and their well-being is never in doubt; it is the lens through which he sees the world.”
For more information and ticket information, contact Dr. Sharon Lease at 405.692.3190 or sharon.lease@macu.edu.
Who is in the OEHF?Learn more about our inductees, 1985-present. View inductees |
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