Top Teachers

Editor’s note: There are 17 2021-2022 Mustang Public Schools Site Teachers of the Year. The Mustang News has printed, in no particular order, the final group in this edition. MPS will announce its District Teacher of the Year April 12. Congratulations, 2022 Teachers of the Year!

Kaylee Souders Mustang Central Middle School

Why Did You Choose Teaching? I pursued teaching because I felt called to the profession. As Tim Keller writes in his novel, “Every Good Endeavor,” “If God exists, then every good endeavor, even the simplest ones, pursued in response to God’s calling can matter forever.” I feel that the work that I am doing now at Mustang Central will matter forever in the lives of my students.

Describe How It Felt When You Found Out That You Had Won: It was an honor to be nominated and selected by my colleagues to be the site teacher of the year. I felt overwhelmed by the support and encouragement that I received from fellow teachers and students – even students who I had never taught before. I am humbled to be Mustang Central’s Teacher of the Year.

What Is The Best Thing About Being At Your School? The best thing about being at Mustang Central is the interconnectedness of the grade Team Lead: July 2020-present; Superintendent’s Advisory Board: November 2021-present; Riverwood BEAST Week Planning Committee: 2021 and 2022; and Riverwood Social Committee: August 2018-May 2020.

Why Did You Choose Teaching? I chose teaching because of my desire to make a difference and an impact in the lives of students each day. I am forever grateful to the many teachers, counselors, coaches and mentors who made a difference in my own life. They have contributed to shaping me into the person and educator I am today. Their positive influence is why I am a teacher.

Describe How It Felt When You Found Out That You Had Won: I was truly shocked when I found out that my own peers had chosen me as Riverwood’s Teacher of the Year. I am completely honored and humbled to be given this opportunity.

What Is The Best Thing About Being At Your School? Riverwood is such an encouraging and positive school! I get to work alongside the most supportive people each day. It truly takes a village to love, educate and support students. I am proud to be a part of the exceptional team at Riverwood!

What Is Your Goal As An Educator? My goal as an educator is to help students succeed and to ensure that each student knows they are loved and important!

Jennifer Hooten Prairie View Elementary

Career Highlights/Accomplishments: 16 years of teaching; Prairie View Teacher of the Year; Prairie View Voices Choir chosen to sing at the Festival of the Arts; Prairie View Voices Choir chosen to sing at Mustang’s Festival of Trees; Kodály Level I Certification ; Masonic Lodge Grant Recipient; Alaska Arts & Health PTSA Grant Recipient; Orff-Schulwerk Level II Certification; Orff-Schulwerk Level I Certification; Alaska All-State Vocal Solo Adjudicator; Anchorage School District High School Solo and Ensemble Adjudicator; and flexibility through four military moves, including getting certified and hired in three other states (husband was in the Air Force for 20 years, now retired).

Why Did You Choose Teaching? My parents were both teachers. My father was a junior college professor and my mother taught pre-kthrough second grade.

As I grew up, I watched them and saw the impact they had on their students’ lives. In the eighth grade, I was in choir class and as the teacher was teaching, my mind started thinking about what changes with the sound might take place if the teacher would move her hand differently (she was conducting). It was at that moment I knew I wanted to be a teacher.

Describe How It Felt When You Found Out That You Had Won: Pure shock! I was not expecting to be the winner at all.

We have fabulous teachers throughout our building so the thought that it could be me didn’t even cross my mind. After the realization that it was, in fact, me, the tears began to flow and I felt honored, humbled and excited to represent Prairie View Elementary this year.

What Is The Best Thing About Being At Your School? The best thing about being at Prairie View is the atmosphere of family and togetherness that radiates from our hallways and classrooms. The students help each other, cheer each other on and work hard to be the best they can be! There is also never a time when a staff member isn’t volunteering to help at a moment’s notice, greeting you with a smile or praying for colleagues when needed. When you love where and who you work with, you love going to work so much more!

What Is Your Goal As An Educator? I want to inspire my students to appreciate music well into their adult years. Knowing I have set the foundation for their musical growth fuels me to learn more, try new things and adjust when needed to give my students the best music experience possible.

Rian Hansing Mustang Valley Elementary

Career Highlights/Accomplishments: I began my teaching career in Missouri. I taught fifth grade my first year and then taught third grade for the next two years before moving to Oklahoma. After moving to Mustang, I taught

After moving to Mustang, I taught special ed at Centennial for a year. I then moved to Creek and taught fourth grade for a year.

I took a year off to stay home with my youngest and then returned to Creek and taught third grade for a year. I then moved to Valley, where I taught third grade for five years before becoming the reading interventionist. This is my second year in that position.

Why Did You Choose Teaching? I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. My mom was a teacher and middle school principal.

Watching her pursue her passion for education influenced me to also pursue a career in teaching. Once I got the opportunity to work with students in a classroom setting, I knew it was where I belonged and where I wanted to be.

Describe How It Felt When You Found Out That You Had Won: To say I was shocked, would be an understatement! In fact, a lot of the memories from that moment are clouded in the haze of that shock.

What I do remember is a tiara, my principal and I majorly struggling to figure out the Teacher of the Year sash she had gotten me, lots of laughing, and more than a few happy tears. I guess we are our own worst critics, but I work with some amazing educators, and I hadn’t thought I would win. Being chosen by the people I work with every day is truly the biggest honor, award, or accolade I could ever receive.

What Is The Best Thing About Being At Your School? My favorite thing about Valley is the friendly, welcoming atmosphere. When you walk through the doors it immediately feels like a place you belong.

What Is Your Goal As An Educator? My goal as an educator is for students to leave my classroom every day feeling successful and valued.

Elizabeth W. Jones Mustang North Middle School

Why Did You Choose Teaching? Three of my grandparents were teachers and I grew up seeing their love for learning and their students and the positive impact they made. I was blessed to have many wonderful teachers who inspired a lifelong love of learning for me.

I chose teaching to share my love of learning and to help create the kind of positive school experience I had for my students.

Describe How It Felt When You Found Out That You Had Won: I was overwhelmed, thankful and felt very undeserving since there are so many talented and dedicated teachers at North.

What Is The Best Thing About Being At Your School? The students and staff at North are phenomenal. Kindness, support, encouragement and fun are shown daily at North by students and staff making it the best place to work.

What Is Your Goal As An Educator? I want every student I teach to know that I genuinely care about them and that they are capable of learning. My hope is that they will find a love for learning that will continue throughout their lives.

Deanna Dowell Mustang Middle School

Career Highlights/Accomplishments: District Teacher of the Year for Wellston Public Schools (1994); Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher (1999 - I studied in Japan for a few weeks in the summer as a middle school teacher through the Fulbright program); Outstanding English Graduate at Oklahoma Christian University (1989); Presidential Scholar at Oklahoma Christian University (1985-1989); Miss Oklahoma Future of America (1985 – I was a high school senior).

Why Did You Choose Teaching? I always knew I wanted to be a teacher! I enjoy very much helping students learn to write well.

Describe How It Felt When You Found Out That You Had Won: I was humbled and encouraged by this honor. I felt proud to be in the company of the other site nominees I respect so much.

What Is The Best Thing About Being At Your School? We have fun and laugh together while taking learning seriously. Our student leaders and faculty leaders at MMS are wonderful!

What Is Your Goal As An Educator? I want to be an encourager! I aim to help students feel confident in their abilities.

Taylir Thompson Meadow Brook Intermediate

Career Highlights/Accomplishments: TOY, Team Leader for ELA and fifth grade, being a member of the faculty who had the honor of opening Meadow Brook Intermediate, Oklahoma Writing Project teacher consultant.

Why Did You Choose Teaching? I truly feel that education is a calling, and during my third year of college, I could no longer ignore that call. I have always wanted to work with kids and teaching was one of the most direct ways that I feel I could be a light for those who may not have one anywhere else.

Describe How It Felt When You Found Out That You Had Won: I was so surprised and immensely honored! I work with the most incredible faculty and staff, so to be recognized among such strong leaders was a feeling that is hard to describe.

What Is The Best Thing About Being At Your School? Meadow Brook is such a special place. Every single person is fully committed to serving the whole child and believes every student can and will learn. It really is a family who takes care of one another.

What Is Your Goal As An Educator? My purpose as an educator is not simply to teach reading and writing but to empower every single student who walks into my classroom to know they are seen, valued and loved just as they are, while also challenging them to reach and exceed their potential.