In cooperation with the Mayor's office and City Council, the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City recognizes an outstanding teacher in our community.
August 2022 Teacher of the Month
Kimberly Banz has been named Teacher of the Month for August 2022 by the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation and the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City.Kimberly received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Teacher Education from Southern Nazarene University because it was her lifelong dream to teach. Kimberly, Director of Orchestras at Classen School of Advanced Studies High School at Northeast where she has been named Teacher of the Year, has been teaching Music Education for 8 years, 5 years with Oklahoma City Public Schools. She has been recognized with the many titles of OKCPS District Teacher of the Year, OKCPS District Orchestra Chair, and Classen SAS Visual & Performing Arts Chair.
Kimberly invests her time and talent through Music Education in future difference makers and world changers who sometimes have every reason to quit but don’t, and who understand the importance of working together, despite their differences. She states that one of the greatest joys of her life has been the relationships built with her students, many of whom lovingly refer to her as “Momma B.” She simply would not be the teacher she is today without these young people, and will forever be grateful for the ways in which they changed her life and remains steadfast that she truly is the luckiest teacher on the planet.
Congratulations, Kimberly!
September 2022 Teacher of the Month
Julie Farrell received a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of Cincinnati, where she developed her philosophy of teaching revolving around inclusion and providing equitable learning opportunities to a diverse population of learners. She is a Special Education teacher at Wheeler Middle School. While teaching, Julie also attended a graduate studies program at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and earned her Master’s in Special Education Administration. Julie has spent the last three years teaching, as well as dedicating her time to her students as the Cross-Country Coach, Girls Soccer Coach, and Special Education Department Chair. Julie truly believes that teaching is an act of love, and wants every student who enters her classroom to believe they are capable and deserving of learning, growth, and success. She is a member of a resilient special education team that serves their school population with a “student first” mentality, a team of coaches that motivates their students through leadership and athletics, and a team of department chairs who have instilled a foundation for expanding upon the expertise that already resides in their school building.
Congratulation, Julie!