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Jessica Graham Named MPS 2026 District Teacher of the Year

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The image shows a group of five women, one of whom is holding a framed award with the text "Jessica Graham MPS Teacher of the Year" on a stage with a blue curtain backdrop.
Jessica Graham Named MPS 2026 District Teacher of the Year
Anna Aguilar

The Moore Public Schools Foundation held its annual Excellence in Education awards ceremony on April 16 at Moore High School. Hundreds of family members, friends and colleagues showed up to support the MPS employees and community partners who were recognized as site-level 2025-26 Teachers of the Year, Educational Support Professionals of the Year and school site Patrons of the Year. Also honored were the five District Finalists for 2026 Teacher of the Year.

Brink Junior High's Jessica Graham was named the 2025-26 MPS District Teacher of the Year. She teaches 7th and 8th-grade Yearbook and STEM classes. Graham will represent MPS in the Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year process and will serve as an ex officio board member of the MPS Foundation during the 2026-27 school year. 

Additionally, Sky Ranch Elementary's Cassandra Hankey was named the 2026 District Educational Support Professional of the Year. Watch Cassandra's video.

MPSF Executive Director Lizzy Bozarth led the program and MPS Deputy Superintendent Michelle McNear welcomed the guests and nominees, speaking to how inspired he is by their work and dedication to the district and MPS students.Rep. Jason Blair (Dist. 53) attended the program to congratulate the winners and present them with official commendations.

Graham holds an associate degree in Accounting from Northeast Mississippi Community College and a bachelor's and master's degree in Accounting from Freed-Hardeman University. Graham has served as the department head of the electives-department representatives since 2018 and is an active member of multiple professional educator groups. She has been an educator for 12 years. 

"I was successful in the business and accounting world, but I never felt truly fulfilled. There was a part of me that felt empty, and I could not quite figure out why. I found myself reflecting on the teachers who shaped my life," said Graham.

The educators who poured into me, believed in me, and helped guide my future were so monumental in my life. That reflection led me to the realization that I had always been meant to teach. 

- Jessica Graham, MPS 2026 District Teacher of the Year

Soon after, she accepted a position as a mentoring coordinator in her hometown. She began researching alternative certification to become a teacher and secured her own classroom in 2012.

Orr Nissan Central representative Brandon Wheeler was also present. Wheeler - a Westmoore 2004 graduate - spoke on the important role that all teachers play in growing an educated community. They honored Graham with a $2,000 check as this year's winner and told her she has a new 2026 Nissan to drive throughout the fall semester. Additionally, Orr Nissan Central honored Hankey with a $2,000 financial gift for winning the 2026 ESP of the Year.

2026 DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS & VIDEOS

Jessica Graham, Brink Junior High

Cathy Lockhart, Southmoore High School

Brittany Lusk, Central Junior High

Jamie Maples, Briarwood Elementary

Stacee Schubach, Apple Creek Elementary

SITE-LEVEL TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

Apple Creek - Stacee Schubach

Briarwood - Jamie Maples

Broadmoore - Christina Johnson

Bryant - Blake Mackey

Central - Jennie Hancock

Earlywine - Carly Stevens

Eastlake - Megan Ederer

Fairview - Kelly Vickers

Fisher - Susanne Dickinson

Heritage Trails - Lisa Granato

Houchin - Shawna Helems

Kelley - Barbie Gomez

Kingsgate - Kiana Eubanks

Northmoor - Julie Thomas

Oakridge - Lauren Milam

Plaza Towers - Jessica Kent

Red Oak - Elizabeth Skaggs

Santa Fe - Susan Colvin

Sky Ranch - Anne Morales

Sooner - Lauren Hernandez

South Lake - Jacqueline Shupe

Southgate - Griffin Thompson

Timber Creek - Julie Guffy

Wayland Bonds - Mallory Rigsby

Winding Creek - Riley Purvis

Brink JH - Jessica Graham

Central JH - Brittany Lusk

Highland East JH - Gracie Eggleston

Highland West JH - Taylor Painter

Moore West JH - Emily Stotts

Southridge JH - Heather Armstrong

Moore High School - Crystal Bonds

Southmoore High School - Cathy Lockhart

Westmoore High School - Morgan Pritchett

VISTA Academy - Mason Cole

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR

Apple Creek - Melissa Sumpter

Briarwood - Ashley Dixon

Broadmoore - Paul Weld

Bryant - Melanie Lobbes-Roman

Central - Karen Outon

Earlywine - Ruby Taylor

Eastlake - Lea McGuire

Fairview - Erick Coffman

Fisher - Magen Ledford

Heritage Trails - Nichole Schones

Houchin - Cynthia Marroquin

Kelley - Caroline Jimerson

Kingsgate - Evelyn Ocloo Lee

Northmoor - Christy Durrett

Oakridge - Lisa Ball

Plaza Towers - Dana Humphrey

Red Oak - Pamela Ramsey

Santa Fe - Darla Lovett

Sky Ranch - Cassandra Hankey

Sooner - Ashley Ruddell

South Lake - Jane Berry

Southgate - Dawna Landry

Timber Creek - Rosario Truoccolo

Wayland Bonds - Pamela DeMatteo

Winding Creek - Angelika McAnelly

Brink JH - Kimberly Schuff

Central JH - Phillip Sharp

Highland East JH- Brittany Ginzl

Highland West JH - Stareshia McDonald

Moore West JH - Tabatha McCool

Southridge JH - Holly Wake

Moore High School - Declan Lawson

Southmoore High School - Steven Speegle

Westmoore High School - Lisa Boggus

VISTA Academy - Karen Cardenas

Administration - Tracy Townsend

Child Nutrition - Lacy Torres

Maintenance - Wade Gravett

Technology - Landen Scott

Transportation - Manouchehr Baratzadeh

Enrollment Center - Veronica Garvie

PATRONS OF THE YEAR

Apple Creek Elementary - Lindsay Purser

Briarwood Elementary - Dan Fritz

Broadmoore Elementary - Ashley White

Bryant Elementary - Turfworks

Central Elementary - Marcie and Andy Eason

Earlywine Elementary - Stacy Meiring

Eastlake Elementary - Randy and Donna Harris

Fairview Elementary - Sarah Adams

Fisher Elementary - Jennifer Cornett

Heritage Trails Elementary - Julie Bennett-Jones

Houchin Elementary - Stephanie Hall

Kelley Elementary - Renee (Dortha) Johnson 

Kingsgate Elementary - Bruce Nguyen

Northmoor Elementary - Kristi Landt

Oakridge Elementary - Jenny Sample

Plaza Towers Elementary - Tara Blevins

Red Oak Elementary - Erin Allen

Santa Fe Elementary - Noel McCloy

Sky Ranch Elementary - Summer Wood

Sooner Elementary - Amy Jackson

South Lake Elementary - Mikayla Wright

Southgate Elementary - Southgate Baptist Church

Timber Creek Elementary - Holli Ellison

Wayland Bonds Elementary - The Vine at Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children

Winding Creek Elementary - Shea Wyatt

Brink JH - Haley Voyles

Central JH - Walton Griffin

Highland East JH - Holly Dungan / PTSA

Highland West JH - Aleasha Bumgarner

Moore West JH - Cain Law

Southridge JH - Annie Thi

Moore High School - Mike Wilson

Southmoore High School - Joe Stover

Westmoore High School - Stepheny Rogers

VISTA Academies - Kimberly Ricketson 

To see open teaching positions in Moore Public Schools, visit our Employment page or call 405-735-4000.

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