LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Shari Gateley was nominated by her colleague, Ranee Staats.

"I have been fortunate to work with Shari for eight years," said Staats. "She is a recognized leader among the Putnam City West High School faculty and achieved the honor of District Teacher of the Year in 2017-2018. She was also state runner-up for the distinction of State Teacher of the Year in 2018."

At the site level, Ms. Gateley has served in several leadership roles as senior class sponsor, a member of the Guiding Coalition, and a member of various additional site and district-level committees. She has also been selected as a participant on district-level curriculum and assessment alignment for several years. Every Sunday night, because she is a recognized leader throughout her state, she moderates an educational Twitter chat through #OKLAED. In all of her leadership roles, Ms. Gateley's enthusiasm for educational advocacy and support for her students is evident.

"Shari’s commitment to the success of her students is the strongest I have ever seen," said Staats. "Her genuine level of care and concern for her students goes beyond the classroom. These qualities are immediately evident upon entering her classroom."

Ms. Gateley creates a safe, creative, supportive, student-centered environment for her students every day. Putnam City West High School is a Title I school with a large amount of non-English speaking students. Her passion extends beyond academic responsibilities to include the support of each individual student she influences every day. Ms. Gateley exhibits genuine care and concern for her students; she truly wants all of them to succeed in class and become productive members of society after high school. Many of her students become first generation college students because she believes in their potential. She truly listens to her students, especially during the times when they do not have a consistent adult in their lives. For many of her students, she is the only strong female advocate in their lives. Ms. Gateley even corresponds with former students who have been incarcerated and visits them in prison.

As an AP Language teacher, Ms. Gateley has been required to oversee many additional large projects, yet she willingly has served as co-presenter at the August New Teacher Academy for the past three years. Ms. Gateley has an instructor’s tool box that is bursting with effective, innovative teaching techniques and methods that truly assist students. She willingly agreed to share her wealth of experience with English teachers who were new to the district. Her enthusiasm for teaching was contagious in her presentation, and new teachers appreciated her professional insight and successful classroom experience.

Her impact on education is far reaching. Ms. Gateley has numerous stories of former students who return to thank her for believing in them when no one else would. Students recognize the climate of the school is synonymous with the feeling of a family, and Ms. Gateley is a major factor in creating a supportive school climate.

"With the combination of her advocacy for education, strong desire for student success, and her professionalism, Shari is a very worthy LifeChanger," said Staats.