
From left to right: Kristin Shelby, Joe Williams and Dr. Linda Dzialo
Dozens of schools from across Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas were recognized as “model schools” during a celebration sponsored by the Great Expectations professional school transformation program at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Great Expectations has trained over 38,000 teachers since it was founded in 1991. It’s estimated that 200,000 children are taught using the program’s methodology, which stresses a learning climate based on mutual respect between student and teacher, improved student self-esteem and a belief that all students can learn. Key components include a positive attitude by educators, empowering them to inspire and enable students to achieve success.
Representatives from 85 schools were present for the celebration, which included remarks from Kristin Shelby, the current Oklahoma Teacher of the Year. Each school received a flag to fly at their site, and a plaque noting its designation as a “model school.”
Earning this status is not easy. At least 90 percent of the school’s faculty must undergo training at a Great Expectations summer institute, then all of those teachers must implement the program’s key practices in the classroom. Schools must prepare an implementation plan for becoming a model school, then faculty must be observed at work by trained GE experts.
Even with the stringent requirements, implementation of the program’s methodology is growing in the region. This year’s list of 85 is up from 71 schools a year ago.
“Our program represents an approach to learning that empowers teachers to expect and to get the best from students.” said Dr. Linda Dzialo, president and CEO of Great Expectations. “It rekindles the excitement of discovery among students and teachers, and it pushes everyone involved to greater achievement. Current research validates that with full implementation of Great Expectations, academic performance and attendance increase, while discipline referrals dramatically decrease.”
The Oklahoma City Public Schools is among those adopting Great Expectations. The program has been implemented at 55 of its elementary schools – and nine of them have achieved model school status.
“The results are amazing,” said Superintendent Karl Springer. “We have increased language and math scores and seen a significant decrease in long-term suspensions. I believe that careful implementation of Great Expectations will have a significant impact on our school system.”
GE Model Schools
District |
School |
Principal |
Altus |
Washington Elementary |
Renee Long |
Ardmore |
Lincoln Elementary |
Ellen Patty |
Ardmore |
Will Rogers Elementary |
Cynthia Hunter |
Bartlesville |
Woodrow Wilson |
Tammie Krause |
Bartlesville |
Jane Phillips |
Sandra Kent |
Broken Arrow |
Country Lane Intermediate |
Sue Katterhenry |
Broken Arrow |
Country Lane PK-2 |
Jamie Milligan |
Broken Arrow |
Arrowhead Elementary |
Courtney Elias |
Broken Arrow |
Liberty Elementary |
Karyne Gates |
Cache |
Middle School |
Debbie Hoffman |
Cache |
Primary |
Jean Langley |
Cashion |
Elementary |
Lisa Crosslin |
Chickasha |
Bill Wallace Elementary |
Thomas Jeffries |
Chickasha |
Grand Avenue Elementary |
Kathy Wenzel |
Chickasha |
Lincoln Elementary |
Debra Warden |
Chickasha |
Southwest Elementary |
Tressia Meeks |
Choctaw |
Indian Meridian Elementary |
Karri Doughty |
Choctaw |
LW Westfall Elementary |
Brenda Stanley |
Choctaw |
Nicoma Park Elementary |
Dorothy Shetley |
Claremore |
Roosa Elementary |
Glen Abshere |
Coweta |
Heritage IGC |
Carolyn Rowe |
Coweta |
Mission IGC |
Tim Brandt |
Deer Creek |
Grove Valley Elementary |
Debbie Straughn |
Edmond |
Washington Irving Elementary |
Robert Evans |
Edmond |
West Field Elementary |
Cara Jernigan |
El Reno |
Rose Witcher |
Julie Huber |
El Reno |
Roblyer Middle School |
Jason Pennington |
El Reno |
Webster Elementary |
Mendy Klepper |
El Reno |
Hillcrest Elementary |
Jenifer Posey |
Enid |
Hayes Elementary |
Jane Johnson |
Grove |
Elementary |
Sheryl Payne |
Healdton |
Elementary |
Jason Midkiff |
Holdenville |
Ethel Reed Elementary |
Angela Streater |
Hydro-Eakly |
Elementary |
Paula Horn |
Idabel |
Southeast |
Connie Lynch |
Kansas |
Chetopa Elementary |
Kelly Nading |
Lawton |
MacArthur MS |
Mark Mattingly |
Lawton |
Whittier Elementary |
Brenda Hatch |
Lawton |
Woodland Hills Elementary |
Cheryl Scammahorn |
Lone Grove |
Intermediate |
Meri Jayne Miller |
Lone Grove |
Primary |
Tonya Finnerty |
Mid-Del |
Highland Park Elementary |
Donna Cloud |
Museum |
Chisholm Trail Heritage Center |
Leah Mulkey |
Mustang |
Centennial Elementary |
Neil Womack |
Mustang |
Creek Elementary |
Meggan Wilson |
Mustang |
Lakehoma Elementary |
Shawna Carter |
Mustang |
Trails Elementary |
Sondra Bivens |
North Rock Creek |
Elementary |
Denise Sims |
Oklahoma City |
Nichols Hills Elementary |
Carol Berry |
Oklahoma City |
Mark Twain Elementary |
Sandy Phillips |
Oklahoma City |
Adams Elementary |
Dot Violett |
Oklahoma City |
Cleveland Elementary |
Marsha Stafford |
Oklahoma City |
Monroe Elementary |
Angee Allen |
Oklahoma City |
Quail Creek Elementary |
Jan Matthews |
Oklahoma City |
Ridgeview Elementary |
Natalie Johnson |
Oklahoma City |
Sequoyah Elementary |
Montie Koehn |
Oklahoma City |
Van Buren Elementary |
Veleasha Stewart |
Owasso |
Barnes Elementary |
David Riggs |
Owasso |
Mills Elementary |
Brenda Casey |
Owasso |
Bailey Elementary |
Ashley Hearn |
Pauls Valley |
Jackson Elementary |
Mitzi Winters |
Pauls Valley |
Jefferson Early Learning Center |
Jeanie Menefee |
Pioneer |
Elementary |
Jay Edelen |
Plainview |
Intermediate |
Juile Altom |
Plainview |
Primary |
Lisa Moore |
Ponca City |
Roosevelt Elementary |
Ronda Merrifield |
Private |
Ponca City Christian Academy |
Sheryl Murray |
Private |
Oak Hall Episcopal School |
Laura Gallagher |
Putnam City |
James L. Dennis Elementary |
Ashely Hoggatt |
Sand Springs |
Limestone Technology Academy |
Kristin Arnold |
Sapulpa |
Freedom Elementary |
Nancy Turlington |
Sapulpa |
Holmes Park Elementary |
Bobby Alfred |
Stillwater |
Richmond Elementary |
Darren Nelson |
Stratford |
Elementary |
Kathie Carter |
Tahlequah |
Cherokee Elementary |
Lacie Davenport |
Tahlequah |
Greenwood Elementary |
Susan VanZant |
Tahlequah |
Sequoyah Elementary |
Marissa McCoy |
Texas |
Spring Northgate Crossing Elem |
Debbie McIver |
Texas |
Hill School of Grapevine |
Kathy Edwards |
Texas |
Spring McNabb Elementary |
Pam Dettwiler |
Turner |
Elementary |
Jamie Roberts |
Wetumka |
Elementary |
Amy Kent |
Wilson |
Elementary |
Denise Brunk |
Yukon |
Central Elementary |
Robin Russell |
Yukon |
Skyview Elementary |
Carla Smith |
Posted on Tue, February 21, 2012
by Greg Boyles