Williams, Groves named 2022 Teacher, Employee of the Year
Posted on 04/23/2022
(SPS) -- “Sapulpa schools made me who I am,” said Debbie Williams in the moments after she was named Sapulpa Public Schools' 2022 Teacher of the Year.

Superintendent Rob Armstrong, Assistant Superintendent Johnny Bilby and 2021 District Teacher of the Year Megan Hurt named Williams the new District Teacher of the Year at the annual Teacher of the Year, Support Employee of the Year Banquet Friday night at First Baptist Church Sapulpa.

"I am just in awe of everybody that's here tonight," said Mrs. Williams. "I have a 23-year-old and a 17-year-old and I'm looking at all the people here who made them who they are. Sapulpa schools made me who I am, made my husband who he is and my children who they are, and I'm so proud to stand up here and represent Sapulpa schools."

Mrs. Williams (known as Señora Williams, or Coach Williams) is a Spanish teacher at Sapulpa Junior High, who has been teaching at Sapulpa Public Schools for 22 years. She is also the head coach of Sapulpa High School Cross Country.

Watch a video of Debbie Williams.

“There's nothing like watching them grow in their confidence, like seeing them light up when they get it," said Mrs. Williams, describing what it's like in the classroom as her students grasp a new language. 

"She just exemplifies what a teacher of the year should be," said Sapulpa Junior High principal Dru Dixon of Mrs. Williams. "When you say Teacher of the Year, you think Debbie Williams -- doing all the parts that make a school the best place for kids to be."

The banquet was attended by community members, legislators, school administration, and family of the eight site Teachers of the Year and finalists for Support Employee of the Year.

Sapulpa Bands secretary Shannon Groves was announced as the Support Employee of the Year. Mrs. Groves, who has been working with the band for five years, is known as 'mom' to the groups of musically talented students and organizes dozens of events and activities throughout the year.

"Shannon is a friend to all and a light to everyone who knows her," said Carla Cale, United Sapulpa Educators president. "She is the dream secretary for the band directors. She absolutely loves this community, the school system and the band program. Nothing the band directors do would be possible without Shannon Groves."

Each of the eleven finalists was recognized with a personal citation from State Representative Mark Lawson. They received monetary gifts and gift baskets provided by sponsors. 

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 narrowed the list down to three finalists. Those three teachers were then called in this week for a 30-minute interview with the 14-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.

We are so grateful to SeneGence International, First United Bank, American Fidelity, American Heritage Bank, First Baptist Church, Assurance Restoration, Raising Cane's, Sapulpa Education Foundation, for the generous monetary awards and gifts that made this evening special for our Teachers of the Year and Support Employee of the Year finalists. Thank you for your support of education and our educators and employees!

Congratulations, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Groves!

See videos and photos of all the finalists:
Site Teachers of the Year for 2021-22 Announced