MPS's Tobi Gordon Named an Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Finalist by OSDE

by the Oklahoma State Department of Education

February 11, 2026

Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Finalists Announced

OKLAHOMA CITY — State Superintendent Lindel Fields has announced the 10 finalists for the 2026 Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year, recognizing outstanding educators from across the state who demonstrate excellence in teaching, leadership, and service to their school communities. The winner will be announced at the Teacher of the Year Gala in June.

“Oklahoma educators are second to none, and these 10 teachers represent the best of the best,” said Superintendent Lindel Fields. “I am incredibly proud of these educators. I hope all Oklahomans can join me in celebrating this accomplishment and expressing our support and appreciation for those who dedicate their lives to our students.”

Finalists:

Vanessa Jones | Bethel High School, Bethel 

Serena Neely | Will Rogers Elementary, Shawnee

Tracie Grunewald | Oklahoma Virtual High School, Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy

Tobi Gordon | Brink Junior High School, Moore

Mary Tyree | Alva High School, Alva

Ellie Pryor | Cedar Heights, Highland Park, and Horace Mann Elementary, Woodward

LeeAnn Pressler | Central Middle School, Bartlesville

Kasey Bennett | Northwest Heights Elementary, Durant

Keely Flynn | Lindbergh Elementary, Tulsa Public Schools

Elizabeth Reed | Owasso Eighth Grade Center, Owasso

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Brink's Tobi Gordon was named the Moore Public Schools 2025 District Teacher of the Year. She is the 7th and 8th-grade Deaf Education teacher at Brink Junior High. She holds associate degrees in American Sign Language and Sign Language Interpreting through Oklahoma State University, a bachelor's of science degree in Sign Language Interpreting from Siena Heights University, a graduate certificate in Deaf Education through Missouri State University and a master's degree in Deaf Education through Flagler College. She is also the Brink esports sponsor. 

Gordon said, "By combining my knowledge of educational interpreting and deaf education, I strive to create a learning environment where deaf students can not only succeed academically and linguistically, but also build confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging."

I believe that some of my greatest accomplishments as an educator so far include helping create a school environment that is understanding and accepting of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and one in which students are not simply passed along, but are expected to learn and to be great.

- Tobi Gordon

She holds professional memberships in the National Association of Interpreters in Education and is listed on the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf. She also served as an advisory member of the professional group, Oklahoma Deaf Education. She is also highly involved with Cavett Kids, a nonprofit that supports children with life-threatening or chronic illnesses. Gordon has worked with deaf and hard-of-hearing students for 14 years in K-12 classrooms. 

"Moore Public Schools is excited to celebrate with Tobi Gordon, now a Top 10 Finalist for Teacher of the Year. Her dedication to the industry and to her students is evident and I'm proud to have her as a part of our MPS family," said MPS Superintendent Dr. Robert Romines. 

"She's a shining example of excellence in education," said Romines.