UCO Honors Incoming Education Majors, Awards Scholarships at Teacher Signing Day
March 27, 2026
The University of Central Oklahoma honored future educators’ commitment to teaching at the third annual Teacher Signing Day. The event recognized 70 future educators from across the state and the nation for their dedication to entering the teaching profession and answering Oklahoma’s critical workforce needs.
Central awarded more than $75,000 in scholarships at the event to assist with their educational journey.
Attendees heard from Oklahoma’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, Melissa Evon, on the impact that teachers make on students. Additionally, UCO President Todd G. Lamb and First Lady Monica Lamb, a former teacher, expressed their gratitude to the future Bronchos for committing to the teaching profession.
“Teacher Signing Day is a powerful reminder of who we are and where we began. The University of Central Oklahoma was founded to prepare teachers for classrooms, and preparing outstanding educators remains central to our mission today,” said UCO President Todd G. Lamb.
“At a time when Oklahoma and our nation face a critical need for teachers, it is inspiring to celebrate students who are choosing a career dedicated to shaping the next generation. We proudly recognize these students as they take the next step toward becoming the teachers who will make a lasting difference in classrooms across Oklahoma.”
Scholarships awarded at the event include the Jacob Crabbe Special Education Scholarship, the Jo Bazhaw Teacher Education Recruitment Scholarship, the Jim 68’ and Donna Davenport Family Endowed Scholarship, the Teacher Education Freshmen of Distinction Scholarships and the Teacher Education Leadership Scholarship.
UCO also offers additional funding opportunities for education majors, including the Inspired to Teach Program, which provides $25,500 in scholarships and employment incentives per qualifying student. UCO remains the leader in the state for this program, with more than 700 active participants. This year, UCO education majors will receive over a million dollars through this initiative.
"Teacher Signing Day celebrates young adults who are opting in to the teaching profession at a time of great need," said Kim Pennington, Ph.D., director of Educator Preparation and assistant dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies.
"At UCO, we are proud of our long history of teacher preparation, and we are thrilled to invite the next generation of teachers to our campus. Teachers change the world every day, and our Signing Day event acknowledges the critical role that teachers play in our classrooms and our communities."
UCO offers a wide variety of bachelor’s and master’s degrees for current and future educators. Programs include elementary education, special education, school counseling and art, among others. Central also provides pathways for Oklahoma alternative- and emergency-certified educators to help fulfill their certification requirements.
In fall 2026, UCO will offer the first cohort of its Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Transformative Leadership and Learning, a degree designed for working professionals who wish to advance their leadership capacities in K-12 education, community development or nonprofit sectors.
The 60-credit-hour, cohort-based program blends online coursework with required in-person sessions each semester, offering a flexible hybrid format that supports working professionals. Students will choose from two specialized pathways: Leadership for K–12 Administration and Leadership for Community Development. Students can expect to complete the program in approximately three years.
Originally founded as the Territorial Normal School of Oklahoma with a mission to train teachers, Central has remained the largest preparer of teachers in the Oklahoma City metro. Those completing comprehensive teacher preparation at UCO receive superior training, experiences and support so that they can launch successfully in their careers doing meaningful work and impacting children, youth, families and communities. They have been consistently nationally accredited since 1954 and just completed their last review with perfect ratings.
For more information about UCO’s Jolene Schwind Office of Teacher Education Services, visit go.uco.edu/teach.
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Cutline: The University of Central Oklahoma honored future educators’ and awarded more than $75,000 in scholarships at the third annual Teacher Signing Day. The event recognized 70 future educators from across the state and the nation for their dedication to entering the teaching profession and answering Oklahoma’s critical workforce needs. Pictured, Buck Broncho poses with a future educator and their family at Teacher Signing Day.
