Making a difference
Teachers of the Year 2007
Stacy Barnes
Nancy Graham
Some people just always seem to know what they’re destined to do with their lives. Nancy Graham is one of those people. Growing up in the small farming community of Prescott, Ark., Graham says she made the decision to be a teacher while still in elementary school.
“As a child I always liked going to school and looked forward each year to the new challenges and adventures that awaited me,” she said. “Naturally I chose a profession that would be fun, enjoyable and rewarding.”
Graham received her BSE from Henderson State University in Arkansas and has lived in the Mustang area for the past 25 years.
She has taught kindergarten at Mustang Valley Elementary for 20 years and says it is a dream come true for her to be able to teach eager young students each day. Graham says her goal is to provide a “safe and fun environment where children are surrounded and immersed in learning.”
According to Graham, kindergarten is an important social and academic step in the learning process as it is during this year that students learn many skills essential for success throughout life.
“Kindergarten is the first block in the building blocks of education,” she said. “I try to make that year fun and exciting so children are eager to come to school each day. I hope I instill a passion and curiosity for learning in my students that will be the foundation of their educational future.”
Graham and her husband Sammy have three children, Lindsy, Jamie and Sarah. Lindsy and Jamie are both graduates of Mustang High School. Lindsy graduated from Oklahoma Christian University and Jamie will graduate from the University of Central Oklahoma in May. Sarah is a sophomore at MHS.
Graham says in her spare time she enjoys traveling, gardening and snow skiing with her family. She attributes her success to support from her school staff and to parental involvement.
“I am honored to have been selected and have been fortunate to have the opportunity to teach at an exceptional school with a supportive and talented staff,” she said. “I also appreciate the support and involvement of the parents of my students each year.”
Donna Kaiser
A desire to make learning fun and exciting for children is what led Mustang Education Center Teacher of the Year, Donna Kaiser, to her profession.
“My elementary school experience was not very good and I wanted to make a positive educational impact on kids so they would enjoy learning,” she said.
A 24-year veteran teacher, Kaiser has taught in Putnam City, Yukon and, for the past seven years, Mustang. She earned her BSE from Central State University and a Master’s of Educational Administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
She currently teaches Elementary Gifted and Talented, grades 3-6 and says the best thing about teaching is seeing the children’s eyes light up when they learn something for the first time and then using that information to learn more.
Kaiser says she hopes the students she teaches will become better people.
“I hope that I instill in my students the desire to keep on learning, to have a positive attitude and to be a well rounded person,” she said.
She says her favorite story took place 28 years ago when she was still teaching in the PC school district.
“I had a student who I needed to retain for maturity reasons. I met with his parents and the principal and explained why he needed to be retained. His mother agreed if I would have him in my room again. He was ornery and I thought, ‘Do I really want to have him in my room again?’” Kaiser said.
“I did agree and we survived. He has kept in touch with me all these years. I was invited to his wedding and we have been out to dinner together. I just saw him in November and he is a buyer for Hobby Lobby. Having contact with former students is very rewarding.”
Kaiser met her husband of 34 years on a blind date. They have one son, John, who works for Bil-Jac dog food and owns a lawn service.
Kaiser said she was surprised and honored to have been selected Teacher of the Year by her peers.
“We have a great faculty at Mustang Education Center,” she said. “They are wonderful to work with.”
In her spare time Kaiser enjoys reading, traveling, walking in her Surry Hills neighborhood and playing Bunko with friends. She also likes to travel with her husband when he plays in his Gospel Band.
Teachers of the Year 2007
Stacy Barnes
Nancy Graham
Some people just always seem to know what they’re destined to do with their lives. Nancy Graham is one of those people. Growing up in the small farming community of Prescott, Ark., Graham says she made the decision to be a teacher while still in elementary school.
“As a child I always liked going to school and looked forward each year to the new challenges and adventures that awaited me,” she said. “Naturally I chose a profession that would be fun, enjoyable and rewarding.”
Graham received her BSE from Henderson State University in Arkansas and has lived in the Mustang area for the past 25 years.
She has taught kindergarten at Mustang Valley Elementary for 20 years and says it is a dream come true for her to be able to teach eager young students each day. Graham says her goal is to provide a “safe and fun environment where children are surrounded and immersed in learning.”
According to Graham, kindergarten is an important social and academic step in the learning process as it is during this year that students learn many skills essential for success throughout life.
“Kindergarten is the first block in the building blocks of education,” she said. “I try to make that year fun and exciting so children are eager to come to school each day. I hope I instill a passion and curiosity for learning in my students that will be the foundation of their educational future.”
Graham and her husband Sammy have three children, Lindsy, Jamie and Sarah. Lindsy and Jamie are both graduates of Mustang High School. Lindsy graduated from Oklahoma Christian University and Jamie will graduate from the University of Central Oklahoma in May. Sarah is a sophomore at MHS.
Graham says in her spare time she enjoys traveling, gardening and snow skiing with her family. She attributes her success to support from her school staff and to parental involvement.
“I am honored to have been selected and have been fortunate to have the opportunity to teach at an exceptional school with a supportive and talented staff,” she said. “I also appreciate the support and involvement of the parents of my students each year.”
Donna Kaiser
A desire to make learning fun and exciting for children is what led Mustang Education Center Teacher of the Year, Donna Kaiser, to her profession.
“My elementary school experience was not very good and I wanted to make a positive educational impact on kids so they would enjoy learning,” she said.
A 24-year veteran teacher, Kaiser has taught in Putnam City, Yukon and, for the past seven years, Mustang. She earned her BSE from Central State University and a Master’s of Educational Administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
She currently teaches Elementary Gifted and Talented, grades 3-6 and says the best thing about teaching is seeing the children’s eyes light up when they learn something for the first time and then using that information to learn more.
Kaiser says she hopes the students she teaches will become better people.
“I hope that I instill in my students the desire to keep on learning, to have a positive attitude and to be a well rounded person,” she said.
She says her favorite story took place 28 years ago when she was still teaching in the PC school district.
“I had a student who I needed to retain for maturity reasons. I met with his parents and the principal and explained why he needed to be retained. His mother agreed if I would have him in my room again. He was ornery and I thought, ‘Do I really want to have him in my room again?’” Kaiser said.
“I did agree and we survived. He has kept in touch with me all these years. I was invited to his wedding and we have been out to dinner together. I just saw him in November and he is a buyer for Hobby Lobby. Having contact with former students is very rewarding.”
Kaiser met her husband of 34 years on a blind date. They have one son, John, who works for Bil-Jac dog food and owns a lawn service.
Kaiser said she was surprised and honored to have been selected Teacher of the Year by her peers.
“We have a great faculty at Mustang Education Center,” she said. “They are wonderful to work with.”
In her spare time Kaiser enjoys reading, traveling, walking in her Surry Hills neighborhood and playing Bunko with friends. She also likes to travel with her husband when he plays in his Gospel Band.
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