Diane Reece, Bokoshe Elementary School
2010 Medal for Excellence in Elementary Teaching
Diane Reece, winner of the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Elementary Education, teaches kindergarten as well as fifth and sixth-grade science at Bokoshe Elementary School in southeast Oklahoma.
In a district that graduates less than 20 students each year, Reece has had the opportunity to touch the lives of literally every student during her 30-plus years of teaching. In the classroom, Reece incorporates music, movement, art, drama and a variety of hand-on activities that engage all students and incorporate all learning styles.
Reece also uses teaching strategies that build students’ self-esteem and excitement for learning. Among her creative teaching activities is MicroSociety, in which students produce a product, pay taxes and run for office to help them understand their future responsibilities.
“As educators, we have the single most important job in society – the job of helping a child acquire the knowledge and skills to be contributing and responsible citizens in their community for life,” Reece said.
Outside the classroom, Reece has received several major grants to benefit children throughout the community, including a 21st Century Learning Center grant of over $320,000 to provide after-school and summer enrichment programs. She has received two “Learn and Serve” grants – one that helped students learn better health and nutrition habits and, most recently, a grant that helped her fifth and sixth-graders create the town’s first library. The students met with town leaders to acquire space for the library and then worked on carpeting, painting and collecting books for the new facility.
A National Board Certified educator, Reece serves as a mentor to other teachers and has received numerous teaching honors, including selection as a state Master Teacher II.