Two teachers at White Rock School are finalists for state awards and they will find out if they are winners during a banquet Friday night.
Natalie Fesler, the Special Education director and a teacher, and Jerri Loveland, who teaches fourth grade, will attend the Professional Oklahoma Educators Foundation Excellence in Education banquet at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City.
Fesler is a finalist for the Jonathan Tinney Special Education Merit Award and Loveland is a finalist for the Elementary Merit Award.
Fesler said, “This is my 19th year to teach Special Education. The last couple of years I also have taught General Education math classes at the Middle School.”
Fesler said, “I believed our counselor nominated me for the award, though I’m not sure.
She noted that when she found out she was a finalist, “I was shocked. They’re so many good teachers in the state. It’s flattering, so humbling,” she added.
Loveland is a finalist for the Elementary Merit Award.
Loveland, upon learning she was a finalist, commented, “I was surprised and very appreciative that someone would think that highly of me to nominate me for this award.
“I think I know who nominated me, I know it was another teacher, but I’m not 100 percent sure who it is.”
She noted, “This is my third year to teach, all at White Rock. Prior to that, I taught adults nutrition and how to take care of their children when they left the hospital.”
She home schooled her own two children for a while.
“One is a fifth grader, the other is in sixth and they both attend White Rock,” Loveland explained.
Fesler stated, “I have a caseload of about 20 students to watch over.”
She commented that since learning she was a finalist, “I’m trying to put it in the back of my mind. It’s very intimidating to go, but it will be a great evening out with some great people.”
She and her husband Kent have two grown daughters and six grandchildren.
Loveland said as a fourth grade teacher, “I teach all subjects except music and Physical Education.
“My first two years here I taught third and fourth grades combined.
“A single grade is by far easier, it’s been much less stressful, though I also enjoyed the combined grades.
“It wouldn’t be possible to be a great teacher without a team of great educators,” she continued.
Loveland pointed out, “I’m also getting my Master’s Degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah.
“I will enter my second year next year,” she concluded.