At the baseball-themed Bruins of the Year event on April 6, Kelsey Bridges was named the 2023 Bartlesville Public Schools Teacher of the Year. She teaches fourth grade students at Ranch Heights Elementary School. Bridges received a monetary award from the Schmoldt Family and two Southwest Airlines tickets courtesy of Spears Travel.
The event was Bruins of the Year because both certified and classified staff of the year were recognized. The Teachers of the Year, Rising Star Teachers, and Classified Persons of the Year from each school were honored. Each Teacher of the Year was introduced by a current or former student. Service pins were awarded for certified employees with 5-40 years of district service.
Quartlan Phillips, a Special Education paraprofessional at Hoover Elementary School, was named the Classified Person of the Year.
Elaine Starkey, who teaches first grade at Ranch Heights Elementary School, was named the district's 2023 Rising Star Teacher, an award for teachers with one to four years of experience.
Lisa Frye, who teaches kindergarten at Richard Kane Elementary School, was the Elementary Rookie Teacher of the Year.
Kelsi Rector, who teaches chemistry at Bartlesville High School, was named the Secondary Rookie Teacher of the Year.
Patty Waldorf (left in photo), Central Middle School’s 2023 Teacher of the Year, was named the "Fan Favorite" at the event, which was held on Rigdon Field at the Bill Doenges Memorial Stadium. That recognition includes a breakfast from Chick-fil-A for the Central staff.
Heather Davis, (left in photo), a language arts teacher at Central Middle School, received the 2023 Kurt Schmoldt Teacher Appreciation Award.
A new award was the Substitute Teacher of the Year, which was awarded to Jeannette Askins.
The Bartlesville Education Association presented its Friend of Education Award to the Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation. Executive Director Blair Ellis, left, accepted on behalf of the BPSF from BEA Co-Presidents Alana Murphy and Heather Boyle.
Bruin TV live streamed the event, and a recording is available.
The Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation (BPSF) and the school district's Professional Improvement Committee sponsored the event. The BPSF shared many event photos on its Facebook page and thanked presenting sponsors Arvest Bank and Patriot Chevrolet; Grand Slam Sponsors ConocoPhillips, Manhattan Construction Company, and Diversified System Resources; All-Star Sponsors First Investment Corporation, Musselman Abstract Company, Perspective Advisors, and Safari Smiles; Home Run Sponsor Skyway Honda; and Trading Card Sponsor Jim Moore - State Farm.
The BPSF and district also appreciate The Schmoldt Foundation for Education, Spears Travel, Chick-fil-A Bartlesville, Margie Green and the BHS Jazz Choir, the Wilson Elementary Select Choir, Wade Kester, Chris Batchelder (announcer), Maria Gus (emcee), Bruin High Broadcasting, Ledi Mull (for event prep), Trey Stumpff (sound), 3 Bulls UPcycling (Fan Favorite Award designer), Matt Spence - State Farm (water), and Michael Wray (who designed the program and photographed the event).