Martin, Gish named District Teacher, Support Employee of the Year
Posted on 04/17/2025
(SPS) -- With hugs and a flurry of flowers and photographs, Mrs. Jolene Martin, art teacher and department head at Sapulpa High School, was named the District Teacher of the Year Thursday night.
Superintendent Rob Armstrong named Mrs. Martin the new District Teacher of the Year at the annual Teacher of the Year, Support Employee of the Year Banquet at The Brick at First Baptist Church Sapulpa.
Mrs. Martin, who has been teaching art at SHS for 19 years and is a Sapulpa graduate, said she's humbled and honored to be named as the District Teacher of the Year in the place she calls home.
Watch a video of Jolene Martin
"I think it's important for students to know the why, not just do it this way because," said Martin. "Just a holistic approach to making art. Learning how to draw is just learning how to see the world."
"What Mrs. Martin does in her classes-- it really translates to job skills and being a productive citizen after high school," said Seth Shibley, SHS Principal. "We're very lucky to have her."
The banquet was attended by community members, business and civic leaders, school administration, and family of the eight site teachers of the year and support employee of the year finalists.
SHS Attendance Secretary Melodee Gish was announced as the SPS/United Sapulpa Educators Support Employee of the Year. She has worked for the district for 29 years.
Her colleagues say Sapulpa High School would not be Sapulpa High School without her knowledge, efficiency and ready smile. Mrs. Gish is also a Sapulpa graduate.
"The people I work with are exceptional! We are a family and help each other out," said Mrs. Gish. "I love the students too. Being here 29 years I have seen several generations come through my office. Many students still keep in touch and I absolutely love that."
Each of the 12 finalists was recognized with a personal citation from State Senator Todd Gollihare. They received monetary gifts and gift baskets made possible through generous sponsors.
Joni Rogers-Kante, founder, CEO and chairwoman of SeneGence International and Kirk Bartgis, vice president of First United Bank, congratulated each nominee and provided monetary awards.
Determining the District Teacher of the Year is the culmination of a several-month process that started with each school selecting its Teacher of the Year. From there the eight Site Teachers of the Year prepared a portfolio about their background and teaching philosophy and submitted it to the Teacher of the Year Committee. The committee reviewed each of the portfolios and called the site teachers of the year in this week for 30-minute interviews with the 16-member committee. Based on a rubric, the teachers are scored on their responses and the teacher with the highest point total is determined the District Teacher of the Year.
Superintendent Rob Armstrong calls Sapulpa's Teacher, Support Employee of the Year program extraordinary-- one of the best in the state, because of generous community sponsorships. Cash donations alone exceeded $31,000.
We are so grateful to the following sponsors for the phenomenal monetary awards and gifts to celebrate our Teachers of the Year and Support Employee of the Year finalists:
SeneGence International
Sapulpa Public School Foundation
American Heritage Bank
First United Bank
Reed Architecture & Interiors
Cherokee Pride Construction
American Fidelity
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
First Baptist Church of Sapulpa
Jordon's Flower Farm
Whole Foods
Wimpy's Sandwich Shoppe
First Baptist Church provided the venue. In addition, students from SHS' Culinary Arts Department, advised by Christine Linder, and Builder's Club, High School and Junior High National Honor Society served the meal.
Thank you for your support of education and our educators and employees!