Putnam City - Public Schools Foundation

Five Putnam City Schools teachers were named "Excellent Educators" by the PC Foundation at the annual Celebration of Excellence Banquet on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007.

Gale Gerhardt, first grade teacher at D.D. Kirkland Elementary, Betty Herman, publications adviser at PC North High School, Karen Morgan, special education teacher at PC North High School, Nancy Ruby, 7th grade World Geography teacher at Hefner Middle School and Shera Steinhoff, 4th grade teacher at James L. Dennis Elementary. Each of the five recipients was awarded $1,000, while their schools received $500 to be used to enhance learning opportunities in the recipient's classroom. Funded by the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Oklahoma, the Excellent Educator awards are presented to teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty to educate students in the classroom and demonstrate leadership within the school, the district and the state.

Betty Herman has been a teacher for 44 years, 18 of which have been at PC North. She believes that the lessons learned in her journalism class go beyond the classroom and can be applied to many areas of life. Responsibility as a journalist is to seek the truth and report it, to respect the individual, to act independently, and to be accountable.

Karen Morgan has been a teacher for 26 years, 6 1/2 at PC North. She has served on the Principal's Advisory Committee and lead workshops for district staff special education and English teachers. With her calm demeanor, Karen lessens the anxiety and fear of failure in her students. They develop skills and a "can do" attitude which will help them to be successful as they move on.

Nancy Ruby has been a teacher for 20 years, all at Putnam City Schools. She has organized the curriculum for World Geography at Hefner Middle School and currently serves as the Social Studies Vertical Chairperson. She feels that, in order for a student to achieve successfully, she must create an environment that allows her students to take "ownership" of their successes. She promotes compassion and life skills that will stay with her students long after they leave her classroom.

For the last nine years, Shera Steinhoff has been a 4th grade teacher at James L. Dennis Elementary. She currently serves as the Science Vertical Team Leader, and has taught new teachers ways of integrating technology into content areas. She involves the school community, such as the media specialist, art, music and PE teachers, parents and other students when teaching her classroom. She creates an environment where students feel loved, respected and can achieve success.

Gale Gerhardt has taught in Putnam City Schools for 24 years, almost 20 as a first-grade teacher at D.D. Kirkland Elementary. She teaches her students the alphabet, handwriting, and math through a variety of fun activities. Gale grew up in a family of educators who instilled the value and importance of education in her life.