What Rally Goes On During Teacher Professional Day?

Rick Wells, News On 6

JENKS, Oklahoma -- School was out in Jenks Friday. It was a teacher professional day.

Rick Wells says he's always been curious about those professional days. When he arrived, he was surprised to find a pep-rally going on. Not for football, but for teachers.

It was an overflow crowd in the High School auditorium as Jenks Public Schools Foundation presented its Vision of Excellence Awards

"Being able to honor them in from of their peers is a way the Jenks Public Schools foundation can give back," said Marlo Duffy Turner, JPSF.

There were 15 honorees, both teachers and staff members nominated by co-workers and when each was announced; they got a pep rally kind of response.

After all it is a pep rally just without the football players. Each one got the award and a certificate, and a check.

Shelli Temple got the big check as Teacher of the year. She and her husband will travel.

I asked all of them what plans they had for the cash.

"A big chunk of it will go to the Jenks East clothes Closet," said Jenks teacher Kathy Rubey.

Each one had a ready answer, and the money carried no stipulations, use it for anything.

The foundation is in the process of raising $300,000. That's this year's goal to help fund events like the one today, as well as teacher projects, and other student needs.