Traci Manuel named 2023 Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Traci Manuel on being named Oklahoma’s 2023 Teacher of the year!

Manuel teaches 10th grade advanced English II at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa.

Manuel’s TOY campaign statement was, “On my road to becoming a teacher, I have taken the road that Robert Frost discussed in the poem, ‘The Road Not Taken,’ where he said, ‘I took the one less traveled, and that has made all the difference.’ Just like I took a different path to become a teacher, I desire to inspire my students to take that path in learning to unlock their potential of brilliance.”

During Wednesday’s ceremony, each finalist offered remarks.

Manuel shared her long, non-traditional path to becoming a Tulsa classroom teacher, which included stops as a long term substitute teacher, then teaching assistant, then parent facilitator.

But first she shared how her own childhood struggles in school led her into a career to help and educate others.

“Someone told me what I could not achieve like they do to many of our urban and rural students,” Manuel said. “But, they can and will achieve.”

Rebecka Peterson, the 2022 OK Teacher of the Year, was unable to attend the ceremony because she is in Washington D.C. as a National Teacher of the Year Finalist. She sent an inspiring video for all of the candidates.

“What a gift you are to our state…We believe in the equalizing power of public education,” Peterson said. 

Manuel has been an OEA member for over a decade and is also the first African American teacher to win in 49 years. We are proud to have her as a part of this association as well as an advocate for public schools. 

Click HERE to watch a video from the OSDE about Traci. Images of the ceremony and luncheon hosted by OEA are below.