SITE TEACHER OF THE YEAR SPOTLIGHT: Narcisa Sanders, Sadler Arts Academy
1. Narcisa has dedicated the past five years to education, all proudly spent at Muskogee Public Schools.
2. The most valuable advice she’s ever received came from her aunt: “Never burn your bridges.” She believes that once those bridges are gone, you may not be able to return—especially if you realize you’ve made a mistake.
3. Her hobbies include drawing, painting, writing, reading and singing.
The District Teacher of the Year will be announced May 1st during our annual Superintendent's Honors Banquet. Stay tuned!
SITE TEACHER OF THE YEAR SPOTLIGHT: Vickie Johnson, Rougher Alternative Academy
1. Vickie has been in education 44 years and her third year as an English teacher at RAA.
2. Her philosophy? Maintain balance and just smile. Life will test our strength, but balance helps us navigate the ups and downs—between work and rest, giving and receiving. A smile holds power—it reflects hope, brings joy in small moments, and sometimes gives us the “fake it till you make it” mindset Mamie McCullough suggests.
3. Outside the classroom, she enjoys pick-up basketball at the rec—her go-to activity for staying active and enjoying camaraderie. Following her son’s baseball journey is another favorite pastime.
The District Teacher of the Year will be announced May 1st during our annual Superintendent's Honors Banquet. Stay tuned!
SITE TEACHER OF THE YEAR SPOTLIGHT: Joshua Smith, 6th & 7th Grade Academy
1. Joshua has served Muskogee Public Schools for 3 years as an educator and assistant softball coach.
2. Words to live by: Professionalism, adaptation, and positive thinking are valuable qualities a person must have to be successful.
3. His hobbies include learning from mentors, watching documentaries, reading books, and diving into research. He also enjoys family game nights with his wife and children.
The District Teacher of the Year will be announced May 1st during our annual Superintendent's Honors Banquet. Stay tuned!
>>>>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <<<<<<
April 21, 2025
Muskogee Public Schools announces the resignation of Dr. Jason Parker, Executive Director of Athletics. Dr. Parker has served in this role since July 2019.
During his six years with the district, Dr. Parker played a key role in shaping the athletic programming and improving facilities, including contributions he made to the development of Rougher Village as part of the 2019 Bond Project. He was also instrumental in launching the Rougher Youth Sports Academy (RYSA) in 2021. He supported revitalizing the Rougher football program, which won the 6A-II State Championship in 2023 and finished as State Runner-Up in 2024.
Dr. Parker came to Muskogee after serving as Director of Athletics at Sapulpa Public Schools for four years. Muskogee Public Schools is grateful for his impact on Rougher athletics and wishes him continued success in his next chapter.
“Dr. Parker has been an important part of our athletic success over the past several years,” said Superintendent Dr. Jarod Mendenhall. “We appreciate his commitment to our students, coaches, and community, and we wish him the very best moving forward.”
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SITE TEACHER OF THE YEAR SPOTLIGHT: Kimberli Landers, Tony Goetz Elementary
1. Kim has dedicated the past 13 years to educating students at Muskogee Public Schools.
2. Words to live by: Reading is a passport to courageous adventures. You can do courageous things. You just have to start. Open a book and explore the world!
3. Favorite book: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCaillo
The District Teacher of the Year will be announced May 1st during our annual Superintendent's Honors Banquet. Stay tuned!
Chalk drawings, stories, armfuls of eggs, and some very patient bunnies—big thanks to Rougher Alternative Academy for making it a fun Friday for our Early Childhood Center littles! 🐰💚
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SITE TEACHER OF THE YEAR SPOTLIGHT: Klaire Starkey, Pershing Elementary
1. Klaire has proudly served Muskogee Public Schools for the past 14 years!
2. This is her third time being recognized as Site Educator of the Year.
3. She enjoys watching true crime documentaries, working on 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with her husband and five daughters
The District Teacher of the Year will be announced May 1st during our annual Superintendent's Honors Banquet. Stay tuned!
SITE TEACHER OF THE YEAR SPOTLIGHT: Jordan Chambers, Muskogee High School
1. Jordan is in her third year at Muskogee Public Schools — and in education! She's passionate about growing as an educator and being the best she can be for her students.
2. Her philosophy? “Show up for your life.” Jordan believes resilience is key and encourages her students to keep going, even on the hard days.
3. Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading, historical documentaries, and time with her husband Brian and their poodles, Prince and Rip. The Chambers are also excited to welcome a baby girl in June!
The District Teacher of the Year will be announced May 1st during our annual Superintendent's Honors Banquet. Stay tuned!
A big thank you to the American Red Cross for stopping by the Early Childhood Center!
Cookbooks, chef hats, and aprons were delivered to help our little learners get excited about healthy eating. 💚
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SITE TEACHER OF THE YEAR SPOTLIGHT: Jametra Newton, Cherokee Elementary
1. Jametra has spent the past 18 years as a kindergarten teacher at Cherokee Elementary!
2. Her goal as a teacher is to ensure all her students grow academically, emotionally, and socially, leaving her classroom better than when they arrived.
3. She enjoys spending time with my family and watching true crime docs.
The District Teacher of the Year will be announced May 1st during our annual Superintendent's Honors Banquet. Stay tuned!
Last night, we celebrated 20 outstanding students at our annual Rougher 300 Banquet! 🎉
This special evening honors students in grades 9–12 who have committed their time and talents to serving the Muskogee community through volunteer work. Through a partnership with the Muskogee Nonprofit Resource Center, the Rougher 300 initiative encourages students to get involved and give back to the community.
Students who complete 300+ hours of service by graduation earn the title of Rougher 300 honoree and receive a silver cord to wear with their cap and gown — a symbol of their dedication to service.
Every hour matters, and every student honored last night is helping shape a stronger community. 💚
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SITE TEACHER OF THE YEAR SPOTLIGHT: Navi Leatherman, Early Childhood Center
1. Navi has been teaching for the past 3 years.
2. Words to live by: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou
3. Her favorite book is the Great Gatsby!
The District Teacher of the Year will be announced May 1st during our annual Superintendent's Honors Banquet. Stay tuned!
Fine Arts Celebration! 💚
Congratulations to our 8th Grade Band for earning superior ratings from every judge at this year’s OSSAA District Contest — and for receiving the 2025 Outstanding Achievement Award in Sight-Reading!
And hats off to our Muskogee High School Choir for receiving straight superior ratings in concert performance and Treble Choir in Sight-Reading at the OSSAA State Contest!
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SITE TEACHER OF THE YEAR SPOTLIGHT: Nelita Cash, 8th & 9th Grade Academy at Alice Robertson
1. Nelita has dedicated her entire 18+ year career to Muskogee Public Schools.
2. The best advice she’s ever received? From her dad: “Buckle up, buttercup. Life is full of twists, turns, ups, and downs. If you're ready for the ride, you'll come out okay and ready to face whatever comes next.”
3. If she were a Crayon, she'd be purple because it's the color of royalty, creativity, and the symbolic color for Alzheimer's Awareness, which she strongly supports.
The District Teacher of the Year will be announced May 1st during our annual Superintendent's Honors Banquet. Stay tuned!
Last week, Muskogee Public Schools in partnership with the Muskogee County Health Department hosted the inaugural DOTS (Discovering Options to Succeed) Leadership Summit at Rougher Village, bringing together over 1,000 high school seniors from across Eastern Oklahoma.
Throughout the day, students connected with 25 college, military, and career program representatives. They also heard from three dynamic keynote speakers: Dr. Myron Rolle, former NFL player turned neurosurgeon; Sherri Coale, retired OU women’s basketball coach and Hall of Famer; and Tim Tebow, former NFL player and Heisman Trophy winner. In the afternoon, students took part in breakout sessions covering a wide range of career fields.
The event was designed to help students explore opportunities and prepare for their next steps after graduation. Stay tuned for more photos and videos!
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You’ve seen it around town—now it’s time to hop on! The Read, Play, Talk Bus is officially opening its doors this Saturday, April 12, at the Farmer’s Market in front of the Civic Center from 9:00 to 11:00 AM.
Come explore the colorful space, pick out a book, and enjoy reading and playtime on the bus for the very first time. 📚✨Plus, don’t miss the FREE Children’s Book Giveaway starting at 9:00 AM—first come, first serve while supplies last!
Check out the full summer calendar here: https://www.muskogeeps.org/page/read-play-talk
BIG NEWS: Allison Chavarria, math teacher at the Muskogee 8th & 9th Grade Academy at Alice Robertson, has been named the 2025 Oklahoma Middle School Distinguished Teacher of the Year by the Oklahoma-Arkansas Section of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA)! 🎉
This prestigious award is given every two years to just one middle school teacher per state in recognition of outstanding contributions to mathematics education. Honorees are selected based on project innovation, teaching philosophy, and recommendations from colleagues, students, and parents.
Help us celebrate this incredible achievement and thank Mrs. Chavarria for the difference she makes every day! 💚
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A BIG congratulations to our very own District Teacher of the Year and Cherokee Elementary's incredible teacher-librarian, Gina Batie, on being named a finalist for the Eastern Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Award through the Aeros Awards of Excellence! 🌟
Selected as one of just 10 finalists out of hundreds of nominees, Ms. Batie was nominated by Superintendent Dr. Mendenhall for her dedication, innovation, and the lasting impact she makes on students and our community every single day.
We are so proud of you, Ms. Batie! 💚
Our 2nd and 3rd grade students from Cherokee Elementary are making waves!
Thanks to a generous grant written by Muskogee Swim and Fitness Center, our students are participating in an exciting swim lesson program that aligns with our PE standards. These lessons not only teach essential water safety skills but also build confidence and support physical development. We’re so proud of our students for diving in and giving it their all! 🌊
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GREAT NEWS: This week students from Sadler Arts Academy , the 6th & 7th Grade Academy, and 8th & 9th Grade Academy competed at the Regional Oklahoma History Day Competition at Northeastern State University, where 24 students advanced to compete at the state level in Oklahoma City! Congratulations to all! 🎉
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