Kraig Mewbourne is surprised by Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Ebony Johnson as he is presented with his nomination for 2026 Teacher of the Year at Tulsa Edison Preparatory School March 12, 2026 Credit: Molly McElwain / Tulsa Flyer
At every campus, the scene was similar. As Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Ebony Johnson addressed the room, students, staff and families burst into applause. The teacher working inside quickly learned the reason behind her surprise visit — to congratulate them on being named one of five finalists for 2026 Teacher of the Year.
The Flyer was on site as Johnson visited campuses Thursday to announce the following educators as finalists:
Sarah Baker, an English language development teacher at Hawthorne Elementary
Sarah Baker poses with her class after receiving her nomination for Tulsa Public Schools Teacher of the Year at Hawthorne Elementary School on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Credit: Molly McElwain / Tulsa Flyer
Sarah Baker receives her nomination for Tulsa Public Schools Teacher of the Year from Superintendent Ebony Johnson at Hawthorne Elementary School on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Credit: Molly McElwain / Tulsa Flyer
Kara Donnini, an eighth grade history teacher and department lead at Hale Middle School
Kara Donnini, an eighth grade history teacher and department lead at Hale Middle School, celebrates being named a 2026 Teacher of the Year finalist on March 12, 2026. Credit: Courtesy Tulsa Public Schools
Kara Donnini, an eighth grade history teacher and department lead at Hale Middle School, celebrates being named a 2026 Teacher of the Year finalist on March 12, 2026. Credit: Courtesy Tulsa Public Schools
Akela Leach, a fifth grade social studies and language arts teacher at Lanier Elementary
Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Ebony Johnson, left, hugs Akela Leach after announcing she has been nominated as one of this year’s teachers of the the year on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer
Akela Leach smiles with her fifth grade class after being nominated as one of this year’s teachers of the year on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer
Kraig Mewbourne, an eighth grade U.S. history, advanced U.S. history and leadership teacher at Edison Preparatory Middle School
Kraig Mewbourne is surprised by Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Ebony Johnson. corkers and family as he is presented with his nomination for 2026 Teacher of the Year on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Tulsa Edison Preparatory School in Tulsa, Okla. Credit: Molly McElwain / Tulsa Flyer
Kraig Mewbourne, a middle school teacher at Tulsa Edison Preparatory School, holds one of his children after being surprised by Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Ebony Johnson with his nomination for 2026 Teacher of the Year on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Tulsa Edison Preparatory School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Credit: Molly McElwain / Tulsa Flyer
Resha Vo, special education teacher at McLain High School
Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Ebony Johnson, left, announces Resha Vo is one of this year’s teacher of the year nominees on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer
Resha Vo smiles after being announced as one of this year’s teacher of the year nominees on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer
TPS will celebrate finalists and announce the winners of Teacher of the Year and Support Professional of the Year at an April event.
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