Photos   All Photos

2018-19 MEA Recognition Events

 

 

Milken Educator Hailey Couch (OK '18) receives her Milken Educator Award obelisk at the Oklahoma State Department of Education. She is pictured here with (from left) Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister, Norman Public Schools Board Member Cindy Nashert and Norman Public Schools Superintendent Nick Migliorino.

Hailey addressed the board at her recognition event. An excerpt of her remarks:

"All children deserve to have someone who loves and cares for them, and that will do anything for them. I hope with all my heart that all my students know that I love them. I strive to help change the world, one child at a time, every day that I am teaching. I want my influence on my students now, in kindergarten, to help instill positive attributes with which they, in turn, will influence those around them. I am a cheerleader for every child who walks through my door. Teaching is more than a job to me; it is who I am, and it is who I will always be. My mission in life is to inspire and motivate as many people around me as I can. It is no secret that the youth of today become the leaders of tomorrow. But what kind of leaders will these children be? It is my hope that I can start my students off early in kindergarten to shape their lives in a positive way. I want to give them the support they need to pull themselves up to the highest reaches that they can go, because once they get there, they will help to shape the world around them."