Students, staff members and OG&E representatives Monday honored Douglass High School teacher Jacklyn Noiel as the first-ever Power Educator of the Month.
Noiel, who teaches Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) and Leadership, was chosen for her outstanding dedication to students and her ability to inspire and energize future leaders. As part of the recognition, OG&E presented her with a $500 donation through DonorsChoose to support classroom supplies and learning materials.
“Teaching has saved me as much as I have saved others,” Noiel said. “There were moments in my own life when I felt like giving up, but the thought of my students – their trust in me, their belief in me, their need for me – kept me going. They give me purpose, hope, and joy, and they remind me daily that my life’s work matters.”
OG&E created the Power Educator of the Month program to recognize K-12 educators who go above and beyond for their students. Noiel is the first recipient of the new award and received two heartfelt nominations – from her husband, Freddie Noiel, who praised her unwavering commitment to helping every student feel seen and supported, and from a student, who shared how Noiel’s strength and compassion have made a lasting difference in her life and the lives of her classmates.
“Jacklyn is the kind of teacher who does more than teach lessons. She changes lives,” said Kelli Hayward-Walsh, OG&E Manager of Community Outreach & Engagement. “We are thrilled to honor such a deserving educator with this meaningful award and look forward to seeing how Jacklyn continues to impact the next generation of leaders.”
The Power Educator of the Month program underscores OG&E’s longstanding commitment to energizing education. The electric company has several ongoing initiatives that provide resources and financial support to students and teachers across its service area, including funding teacher projects and classroom resources through DonorsChoose, Positive Energy Scholarships and e-Smart Kids, a safety and energy efficiency education program. OG&E also provides critical financial support to the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools’s Teacher Pipeline Program.
Source: OGE release
