Milken Educator Sarah Vann (OK '11)

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Sarah Vann

Sarah Vann (OK '11)

Teacher

Owasso Eighth Grade Center
Owasso, OK

At the time of the Award, Sarah Vann was:

Teacher
Owasso Eighth Grade Center
Owasso, OK

Subject(s) taught: Science
Grade(s): 8

Biographical Information

Sarah Vann’s passion for science permeates the Owasso Eighth Grade Center. Endeavoring to ingrain this zest in her students, Vann reaches out to those who are struggling and sparks their interest in learning.

She uses assessments and benchmarks to direct instruction, integrates technology such as the SMART Board, and is creative in teaching the material. Vann fosters critical thinking by having students view their work through a lens of objectivity. Known for employing creative instructional skills in the classroom, Vann’s fervor for the field doesn’t stop there. She interacts with the entire population of her 700-student school by trading classes with other science teachers in the building.

Her student achievement results are "remarkable," with 95 percent of students scoring proficient and 34 percent scoring advanced on Oklahoma’s 2010 science exam. Even among the economically disadvantaged, 90 percent were proficient or above. And of the 18 students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs), all but two scored above proficient in eighth-grade science.

National Board Certified, Vann mentors other teachers going through the certification process. She is a member of the State Superintendent’s Master Teacher Project, science department chair, mentor for new science teachers and head of the Curriculum and Technology committees. Vann also serves on the Committee for District Teacher of the Year and is a member of the State Department’s Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS) Committee.