UCO’s Honoring a Noble Profession Celebrates Oklahoma Teachers
Dec. 12, 2024
The University of Central Oklahoma recently celebrated the achievements of Oklahoma educators at the ninth annual Honoring a Noble Profession banquet with the Joann McCarthy Inspiring Educator Award, the Inspiring Early Career Teacher Award and the Outstanding Teacher Mentor Award.
Additionally, Central’s newest graduating class of 155 teacher candidates and distinguished alumni in the field of education were recognized. Rachel Keith, a language and humanities educator from Ada, Oklahoma, and the 2024 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, provided the keynote address. Additionally, Missy Testerman, the 2024 National Teacher of the Year, provided remarks virtually.
Honoring a Noble Profession recognizes the accomplishments of UCO’s recent graduates and exceptional educators from across the state who exemplify dedication to the teaching profession.
"Every year, UCO dedicates this event to celebrating the teachers in our educator preparation programs and in our communities who make a difference in students' lives," said Kim Pennington, Ph.D., assistant dean and director of Educator Preparation at UCO.
"For 134 years, UCO has been preparing teachers for Oklahoma classrooms, and we are proud to graduate another class of future teachers."
The recipient of the Dr. Joann McCarthy Inspiring Educator Award, which recognizes innovative alumni who have inspired students, colleagues, schools and communities throughout their professional career, is Angee Wallen, a sixth grade special education teacher at Western Oaks Middle School in Putnam City School District.
Wallen, a 1995 UCO elementary education alumna, is a five-time Teacher of the Year recipient and has earned the Masonic Teacher of Today and Quail Springs Teacher of the Year awards. Her commitment to students of all backgrounds during her nearly 30-year teaching career is remarkable, and her influence is evident as former students have followed her path into teaching.
The recipient of the Inspiring Early Career Educator Award, which honors educators with less than three years of experience in the classroom who carry on Central’s mission of transformative learning through leadership, is Sydnee Corro, a 2023 UCO elementary education alumna.
Corro, a third grade teacher at Adams Elementary in Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS), received the OKCPS school site award for exceptional lesson planning, Teacher of the Month recognition and the admiration of her colleagues and students. Corro has also raised nearly $5,000 to enhance her students' learning environment and supports extracurricular activities, including coaching youth sports and mentoring students.
The Outstanding Mentor Teacher Award recognizes the exceptional guidance of UCO student teachers. Both mentors, nominated by their student teacher candidates, are celebrated for fostering growth, collaboration and a supportive teaching environment. The recipients are Katy Bingham, a special education teacher at Cross Timbers Elementary School in Edmond Public Schools, and Riley Turner, a theatre teacher at Deer Creek High School in Deer Creek Public Schools.
To further support future teachers, donations to UCO’s scholarships for teacher candidates are welcome at www.centralconnection.org/support-teachers.
To learn more about the Jolene Schwind Office of Teacher Education Services, visit www.uco.edu/ceps/teacher-ed-services/.
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