2026 Prospective Teacher Academy at Durant campus highlighted by illustrious panel

Southeastern Oklahoma State University's Department of Educational Instruction and Leadership hosted its Prospective Teacher Academy on Wednesday.

Nearly 130 students from Atoka, Calera, Denison, Durant, Madill, Sherman, and Texoma Christian High Schools as well as current teachers and other college students attended to learn more and plan their future steps.

The event opened with a keynote presentation from Dr. Kalyn McAlester, assistant professor in the EIL Department. Breakout sessions were led by Dr. Mila Zhu, Dr. Sarah Morrison, and Greg Masters from the EIL Department, Gabrielle Craddock and Kendra Hardy from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and the afternoon's panel guests, educating students on needs in the teaching field and how future teachers will meet those.

The highlight of the afternoon was the closing panel, which featured five highly accomplished teachers from around the state. 2017 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Jon Hazell moderated the panel and he was joined by 2024 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Rachel Keith, 2023 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Traci Manuel, 2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Rebecca Oglesby, and Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Finalist Kasey Bennett.

"This year's Prospective Teacher Academy event was one of our biggest yet, and it shows the need for high quality teachers in our state and region, and the appetite of our future students to meet that need," said Dr. R. Stewart Mayers, Educational Instruction and Leadership department chair. "Southeastern has been teaching teacher since our founding 1909 and our history of producing high quality educators is well-known. With students like our guests today, the future of teaching is bright and our Southeastern legacy will continue to excel in this field."