teachers

Oklahoma schools face substitute teacher shortages

BY: - September 22, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY — Gregory Hardin is always in demand. He’s a full-time substitute teacher in a state with a shortage of adults to fill in for absent educators. Hardin, of Shawnee, said he’s had no trouble finding openings four to five days a week since he started substitute teaching in November 2019. What initially was […]

COMMENTARY

Opinion: Walters makes good on his promise to draw more teachers to Oklahoma’s public schools

BY: - September 22, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY — A big thumb’s up to Oklahoma’s state superintendent for actually implementing what appears to be a successful program aimed at alleviating one of public school’s biggest challenges — experienced teacher shortages. In April, Ryan Walters unveiled a signing bonus program to bring qualified, certified, early elementary and special education teachers back into […]

Over 530 Oklahoma teachers to receive signing bonuses of $15,000 to $50,000

BY: - September 14, 2023

Hundreds of teachers from across nearly 200 school districts have joined a signing bonus program designed to attract new teachers into Oklahoma classrooms, state education officials said. The Oklahoma State Department of Education expects to make bonus payments ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 to 533 teachers by Oct. 12, agency spokesperson Dan Isett said. State […]

Taxpayers paid $22,500 for inflammatory video from Oklahoma State Department of Education

BY: - September 7, 2023

The Oklahoma State Department of Education spent $22,500 in taxpayer funds to create a controversial video that painted teacher unions in a sinister light. The agency paid the Houston-based marketing firm Precision Outreach to make the “public awareness video” and for future production services through May 21, 2024, according to purchase orders released in response […]

A blond man in a navy blue suit jacket is pictured from behind while sitting in a chair at the head of a long wooden table.

Former Norman teacher who shared link to banned books still in license limbo

BY: - August 31, 2023

The future of a former Norman High School educator’s teaching license remains unresolved after an attempt to revoke it never came before the state’s top school board in August. The Oklahoma State Board of Education was expected to consider revoking Summer Boismier’s teaching license at its meeting. That’s despite a finding from an assistant attorney […]