Sydnie Ritze, AVID and English teacher at Jenks High School, is the 2023-24 Jenks Public Schools District Teacher of the Year. Ritze was selected from a group of 10 JPS Site Teachers of the Year by a committee of JPS administrators, school board members, and Jenks teachers who previously qualified as finalists for Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year. The surprise announcement was made Monday afternoon inside Ritze’s classroom by Superintendent Dr. Stacey Butterfield and the Jenks High School principals.
“I am humbled and overwhelmed to receive this award,” Ritze stated. “I work with amazing individuals here at JPS who inspire me every day because they are so good at what they do. To be able to represent them and represent Jenks is truly humbling. It is an amazing feeling. I’m overjoyed because it’s just a representation of what I get to do for my students. It motivates me even more to show them what is possible when hard work mixes with passion.”
All 11 years of Ritze’s teaching career have been at Jenks High School. The Oklahoma State graduate did her student-teaching at JHS before accepting an English position in 2013. For the past five years, Ritze has taught AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a class designed to help prepare students for life after high school and close the opportunity gap for students who may be the first in their family to attend college. During her time at JHS, Ritze has served in a variety of leadership and sponsorship roles including Student Council, English Department Leadership Team, AVID Site Team, High School Leadership Team, ICAP/Advisory Committee, and Schedule Task Force. Beloved by her students and respected by her colleagues, Ritze seeks to create a classroom environment where students find their voice in reading and writing. She places high value on collaboration, autonomy, and helping students understand the importance of passion and perseverance to achieve long-term goals.
“Education is powerful,” Ritze declared. “Education is the foundation for every other profession and it’s what keeps our society functioning. As teachers, we are the cogs in the wheel that keep things moving and so I believe that what we are doing is important. Not only do I get to be a part of this amazing world of education, but I get to do it here at Jenks where there is a tradition of excellence. I have so much pride in being a Jenks teacher, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to represent this District.”
“Sydnie Ritze has an undeniable passion for the profession,” remarked Dr. Butterfield. “She is a tireless champion and cheerleader for her students and someone who believes so fiercely in public education. She embodies everything it means to be a Trojan, and she will be a tremendous representative for our teachers and our entire District.”
The JPS Teacher of the Year has qualified as a finalist for the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year award in seven of the previous 10 years.