ReGina Farquhar

ReGina Farquhar is no stranger to Great Expectations. She began working full-time as a Great Expectations Coach in 1997. She holds the distinction of being a charter member of the Great Expectations pilot project in 1991. She helped design the training components and the methodology manual for the first Summer Institute in 1992. In addition to teaching methodology courses each summer in Oklahoma, she spent three years teaching Great Expectations methodology to a cadre of teachers in the state of Arkansas to help them launch the Great Expectations of Arkansas Foundation.

ReGina believes that every person has a right to learn and be a valued part of society. It is this heart-felt conviction that led her to embrace Great Expectations as a part of her life. She understands that our children are the most precious gift we are given and it is our obligation, as teachers and parents, to help them reach their highest potential. Too many times this potential is not seen by society or the child. It is her sincere hope that she can illuminate the path for students to travel as they aim for their goals and journey toward reaching them. She actively pursues excellence for herself and strives to be a catalyst to help teachers see their own potential and obligations in educating the youth of our nation.

ReGina began her career as a teacher in Altus, Oklahoma, where she was a traveling Chapter I teacher from 1983-1986. The next year, Altus Public Schools moved her into the classroom full-time. This was where she remained from 1986-1997, teaching second and fifth grades.

She received a Bachelor of Science in Vocational Home Economics Education and completed her elementary education certification requirements from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma. She is in the process of completing graduate work in educational administration.

A list of her awards and honors include Oklahoma Masonic Teacher of the Day, twice named Eugene Field Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Altus FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree recipient. She is active in her church and involved in civic and educational activities in her community.

ReGina loves her family and spends as much time with her husband, Bruce, and her son, Jacob, as possible. Bruce is the FFA instructor in Altus, so their family time often includes young men and women who are enrolled in Bruce's agricultural courses. She also enjoys reading, cooking, collecting cookbooks, volunteering as a speech coach, and taking care of the animals on their farm.

ReGina understands the importance of touching students in a way that will have a positive impact on our future. She considers education a noble and just calling in life. She wants to be a part of the lives of our future – the youth of America!

E-mail: regina@geok.org