Owasso teacher gets honor, prize

Owasso teacher gets honor, prize

OWASSO – Eighth-grade science teacher Sarah Vann got the surprise of a lifetime Monday.

Unsuspectingly, she ushered her advanced physical science students to the school gymnasium for an assembly – ostensibly to honor Owasso eighth-graders for their 100 percent algebra pass rate and 98 percent science pass rate on state exams.

And, yes, that achievement is certainly a well-earned point of pride for the Owasso Eighth Grade Center.

But Vann had no clue that she would leave the assembly $25,000 richer as winner of the national Milken Educator Award.

“It’s so prestigious it’s been called the Oscars of teaching,” said Jane Foley, senior vice president of the Milken Family Foundation in Santa Monica, Calif.

“That’s about as close to the Oscars as I’ll get,” said Vann, the only Oklahoma teacher and one of about 40 educators nationwide to receive the award this year.

“You can’t apply for this,” Foley said. “You don’t find us, we find you.”

Vann cried and hugged colleagues as she made her way down from the risers to the gym floor to accept the award.

“To my students, you guys are amazing. You make it fun almost every day,” she said. “I still can’t believe I’m standing here.”

A teacher for nine years, Vann said that when she figured out that somebody at the assembly would receive the coveted award, she thought of at least 17 colleagues who might be named.

“There were lots of names going through my mind,” she said, but her own name wasn’t on that list.

“I’m still in just complete and utter shock,” said Vann, who attended Skiatook Public Schools.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State University and is working on her master’s degree in educational technology at Oklahoma State University.

Owasso Eighth Grade Center Principal Deirdre Hodge described Vann as a “rock star” who is especially deserving of the award.

Hodge said Vann goes the “extra 25 miles” to ensure that students are engaged in learning.

“She goes from bell to bell and has an incredible rapport with the students,” she said. “She’s going to do whatever it takes to help her students learn science.”

State Superintendent Janet Barresi, U.S. Rep. John Sullivan, R-Okla., state Rep. David Derby, R-Owasso, state Sen. Rick Brinkley, R-Owasso, and newspaper and television reporters were on hand for the surprise.

“You change lives,” Barresi told Vann. “There’s nothing better than that.”

Vann said school and testing didn’t come easy for her, but she is a driven person. She wants to instill her students with the drive and motivation to succeed.

“I tell my students I’m the coolest nerd they will ever meet,” she said.

In its 25th year, the Milken Educator Award is given to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and specialists who further excellence in education.

In Oklahoma, the award winner is determined by a blue ribbon panel appointed by the state Department of Education. The final selection is made by the Milken Family Foundation.

Awards alternate yearly between elementary and secondary educators.

The award can be spent however recipients choose.

Vann said she had no idea how she is going to spend the money.

“I don’t even know how I’m going to calm down so I can teach chemical bonding later today,” she said with a chuckle.

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