AdvancED Oklahoma Excellence in Education Award AdvancED Oklahoma is proud to announce that Dr. Stephan Sargent is the 2015 of the AdvancED Excellence in Education Award. The state-level award is presented in each state to one individual who has demonstrated unparalleled leadership in promoting and advancing excellence in education. Criteria include a nominee s success in the following areas: Generates a common vision and mission for higher expectations among students, faculty and the education community. Demonstrates a record of significant and distinguished contribution to the education profession. Provides a lasting positive impact on student learning. Serves as a role model and mentor for students and/or future generations of educators. Demonstrates significant professional contribution to NCA CASI, NWAC or SACS CASI. Dr. Stephan Sargent just might be one of the nicest, most polite men you ll ever meet! When he speaks of the schools and the colleagues he works with, he uses words like amazing and outstanding and sensational! He always looks for the good in everyone. Dr. Sargent once shared a picture of his dad that hangs in the Oklahoma Department of Education. He was clearly proud of his dad s accomplishments and used superlatives to describe Dr. Stephan Sargent and Dr. Bob Neel him. He also has shared that his high school alma mater is Cascia Hall Preparatory School and then proceeded to tell me about what a wonderful school it was. Since then, he continued along his educational journey and got an Associate Degree in Education at Northern Oklahoma College, a Bachelors Degree of Elementary Education from Oklahoma State University, a Masters Degree in School Guidance & Counseling from the University of Tulsa, and headed back to OSU to get his Doctorate in Reading/Literacy. Although it may appear that Stephan wanted to be one of those career students, he did take a few moments away from his studies to work. He began his career as a classroom teacher in Ponca City, then moved to OSU as a Visiting Assistant Professor and later an Adjunct Professor of Reading and
Literacy. He currently is a Professor of Reading/Literacy and the Reading Clinic Director at Northeastern State University in Broken Arrow. As you might imagine, Dr. Sargent s list of honors over the years are many! He was the Outstanding Male Student at Northern Oklahoma College, the Certified Employee of the Month at Ponca City, the Site Teacher of the Year at Lincoln Elementary in Ponca City, and at Northeastern State he has received the Kudos Staff Award, the Circle of Excellence Award Winner, the Model the Way Award, The College of Education Award for Service two times and was named one of 100 Original NSU Centurians. Finally, he has received the Citation of Commendation for Excellence in Education from Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin for the State of Oklahoma. Stephan has published numerous articles in Reading Psychology, Our Children, Reading Improvement, the Yearbook of the National Reading Conference, Reading Horizons, the Rural Educator and others. He has presented a bazillion times a bazillion times, so many times my pointer finger grew weak scrolling through so many pages! In fact Stephan, I may have to rest after all of this heavy reading about you. Dr. Sargent is very committed and has been involved with AdvancED for many, many years. He has served on teams since the onset of his career back in 1999 as a Visiting Team Chair and team member, a Quality Assurance Review Team Chair and team member, and an External Review Lead Evaluator and team member, serving on both system and school level teams for over 40 institutions. He now serves on the AdvancED Oklahoma Council and just finished his term on the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. AdvancED Oklahoma Council Service Award Council members give tirelessly of their time hosting the fall conference, reviewing reports, providing input to AdvancED practices and attending meetings! They always have been huge advocates and provided a voice in the field for AdvancED! Lynda Rice (2009-2015) High School Representative Teacher Representative
Longevity Awards 25 Year Award (1990 2015) North High School Edmond, OK North High School, Edmond (25 Years) Ellen Vannoy, Dr. Bob Neel 50 Year Award (1965 2015) Muldrow Middle School Muldrow, OK Heavener Elementary School Heavener, OK 100 Year Award (1915 2015) Heavener Elementary School (50 Years) Jim Fant, Nathan Bain, Sabrina Dyer, Jackie Hinds, Dr. Bob Neel Will Rogers High School Tulsa, OK Muldrow Middle School (50 Years) Clifta Fugett, Angela Williams, Tammy Hall Dr. Bob Neel
External Reviews Class of 2015 Lawton Academy of Arts & Sciences, Lawton Kay Johnson, Jim Johnson, Dr. Bob Neel Positive Tomorrows, Oklahoma City Amy Brewer, Dr. Bob Neel Ardmore High School Ardmore, OK Ardmore Middle School Ardmore, OK Catoosa High School Catoosa, OK Dove Science Academy Tulsa, OK Dove Science Jr/Sr. High Academy Oklahoma City, OK Harding Fine Arts Academy Oklahoma City, OK Lawton Academy of Arts & Sciences Lawton, OK Norman High School Norman, OK Positive Tomorrows Oklahoma City, OK Sequoyah Schools Tahlequah, OK Union High School Tulsa, OK Union High School, Tulsa Todd Nelson, Dr. Bob Neel Each school received an AdvancED NCA flag!
External Review Teams Are Appreciated! Lead Evaluators Zaheer Arastu Jeanene Barnett Paul Boer (2) Nancy Bolz Kay Casper Patricia Duncan Donterrio Marzett Stephan Sargent (3) (Lead + Member) Team Members Julia Anderson-Holt Kenda Bates (3) David Beiler Julia Black Nancy Bolz Amy Brewer Zac Briscoe Cindy Brown Ann Burcham (2) Lucky Burney (2) Bill Caruthers Malissa Cook Bryan Duke Sabrina Dyer Jim Ferrell Ann Graham Jennifer Gruse Josh Gwartney Laura Head Ramona Holt Megan Jackson Jim Johnson Elizabeth Kastl Pam King Carol Knowles Roger Loper Don Loving Jackie Mania-Singer Ernie Martens Heather Meldrum Melissa Michie Debi Patterson Wendy Pharr Jolyn Rose Chauncey Shillow Rachael McAnany (2) Samantha Stewart Russell Tillery Patty Torres Katheryn Ward Whitney Warren Geoffrey Wilbur Lyda Wilbur Andrew Worthington Sherri Martinie
Our sincere thanks to everyone who attended the conference! Nancy & Heather