Mid-Del Schools honors top employees
Mid-Del Schools celebrated employees during its annual awards banquet Feb. 2 at the Mid-Del Learning Services Center. Photo by Stacey Boyer
Parkview’s Fields named School District Teacher of the Year
By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon
Mid-Del Schools honored outstanding staff last week during the annual awards banquet.
The district presented seven awards for the top administrators, educators, support staff and specialists during the event Feb. 3 at the Mid-Del Learning Services Center.
Makensie Fields, a kindergarten teacher at Parkview Elementary School, was named the Mid-Del School District Teacher of the Year. Fields said she was honored and humbled by the announcement.
“As it was announced I had a moment of surprise, especially given the talented educators that stood next to me on the stage,” Fields said. “I remember looking at the other candidates, thinking to myself, “Did they just say my name?”
Superintendent Rick Cobb and the other Teacher of the Year finalists congratulated her on the honor.
“I felt a deep sense of gratitude and pride, not just for myself, but for everyone who has been part of my journey—my students, colleagues, and mentors,” Fields said. “The award itself is a validation of the hard work and dedication I have strived to put into my role as an educator, but it also reminded me of the bigger picture – that teaching is a shared effort.”
Fields knew at a young age that she wanted to become a teacher. She recalled pretending to be a teacher with her stuffed animals as a young child. She remembers several teachers and the Great Expectations program for inspiring her love of learning.
“My own experiences with inspirational teachers ignited my curiosity and motivation, showing me the profound impact that a dedicated educator can have on a student’s life,” she said.
Fields is the second Parkview educator to win the award in the past three years. Brian Muller was the District Teacher of the Year in 2022-23 School Year. Fields said Muller has been one of her biggest supporters and mentors throughout the process. She called him after the banquet to share the news.
“He was excited for me, but more than that, I know we both have a deep sense of pride that we have been able to portray and share Parkview’s mission to the Mid-Del community on such a large platform,” she said. “He texted me later that evening saying, “SO PROUD OF YOU GIRL!!!” Now, he continues his support by doing a little cheer or singing a little chant when we pass each other in the halls, and I know he will continue to be a valuable resource in this process.”
Kristin Goggans, Carl Albert High School, was named the Principal of the Year. She has worked in the district for 24 years and is in her 13th year as head principal at CAHS.
Phillip Crawford, Del City High School, was selected as Assistant Principal of the Year.
Angela Menefee was named Support Employee of the Year. She has worked at the central administration office for six years.
Shelby White, Del City High School, earned the Counselor of the Year Award. She is in her sixth year with the district.
Denise Ebersbach, Carl Albert High School, was named the Special Services Employee of the Year.
Tina Pham, Parkview Elementary, received the Instructional Coach of the Year Award. She has worked for the district for 12 years, including the past two as an instructional coach.
Faculty at each school site nominated a teacher of the year nominee. A committee narrowed the list to five finalists in December and eventually the winner. The other finalists included Christi Bradshaw (Soldier Creek), Kimberly Butler (Carl Albert Middle School), Jason Jenkins (Del City Middle School), and Elizabeth Taylor (Midwest City High School).
Fields will go on to compete for the Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year Award.
For the other awards, the district accepted nominations. The nominees completed a questionnaire, and multiple groups reviewed the categories to determine a winner.
All winners received $1,000 and four finalists received $100. OECU gave all Teacher of the Year non-finalists $50.
Sponsors for the event included Panco, Willowbrook Construction, Certified Restoration LLC, Bank of Oklahoma, FNB Community Bank and OECU.
Makensie Fields was named the Mid-Del School District Teacher of the Year. Photo by Stacey Boyer
