Norman teacher falls shy in bid to be best in U.S.
Shawn Sheehan, Oklahoma’s Teacher of the Year for 2016, fell short in his bid to be named the country’s top teacher.
Sheehan, 30, who teaches math to teenagers with learning disabilities at Norman High School, was one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year, which was announced Thursday morning.
Jahana Hayes, a history teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury, Conn., was named 2016 National Teacher of the Year.
The other finalists were from California and Washington.
“I was initially disappointed, but thankful and humble to carry the torch for Oklahoma educators,” Sheehan said. “We are not known for good public education in Oklahoma, and I was proud to serve as an example of the hard-working, resilient, innovative teachers in our state.”
State schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister recognized Sheehan at Thursday’s Board of Education meeting.
“We have to try again next year,” Hofmeister said. “But we are so proud of him for what he’s accomplished; we have not had someone reach that level of recognition since 2000.”
Since being named state teacher of the year in August, Sheehan, 30, has traveled across Oklahoma on behalf of the state Education Department, promoting the teaching profession at every stop.
He has made a point of shining a light on the statewide teacher shortage by promoting the value of the profession, regularly visiting college campuses to share his passion with future teachers.
Sheehan is founder of the national “Teach Like Me” campaign, which has a goal of improving teacher recruitment and retention by redefining the public’s perception of the profession.
He is backing an initiative drive being led by University of Oklahoma President David Boren, who advocates a penny increase in the state sales tax to raise money for education.
A “yes” vote would generate about $615 million annually to go into the Oklahoma Education Improvement Fund. Nearly 70 percent of the money would go to K-12 schools. Much of that would fund a $5,000 raise for teachers statewide.
Sheehan was among 30 educators who recently filed paperwork to run for the state Senate and House of Representatives. He filed as an independent candidate for the Oklahoma Senate District 15 seat.
“Change needs to happen,” he said.