Valorie Lewis, Stigler Grade School
2008 Medal for Excellence in Elementary Teaching
Valorie Lewis, winner of the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Elementary Education, teaches third grade and serves as technology director for Stigler Grade School. Superintendent William Self said if Lewis’s life story could be made into a book, it would be called “The Heart that Overcomes.”
After experiencing a childhood of abuse, poverty and homelessness, Lewis discovered her true potential through the love and support of two special teachers. Now, as an educator herself, Lewis strives to help every child achieve greatness by believing in themselves, having a positive attitude about learning and developing good work ethics.
Lewis incorporates self-esteem building activities into her daily routine, including Positive Comment Cards, where students identify positive attributes of their classmates, and Community Circle, where each student has an opportunity to share joys and concerns. Colleagues praise Lewis for creating innovative, engaging lessons that help students of all levels and abilities learn to their highest potential.
“All students can learn!” Lewis said. “ADD, ADHD, LD, GT, MR, rich and poor are all labels that we have given students. I believe that labels are for canned goods, not children. Remove the labels and you have kids who want to succeed.”
Outside the classroom, Lewis serves as an after-school program adviser, Parent Academy instructor and technology trainer for fellow teachers. The recipient of many teaching awards, she was recently one of 20 educators nationwide named to the USA Today National Teaching Team.