OKWP SI 2019

Meet the Staff of the 2019 Summer Institute

Deb Wade, Co-Director

I have been teaching for about 16 years, and all of those have been in the intermediate grades of 4th and 5th. My home life revolves around my husband Randy and my three beautiful girls Bekah, Anna, and Lydia. Sasha the cat gets an honorable mention. Beginning July 1, I will be leaving my classroom and heading to the State Department of Education. My new title is Director of Elementary Language Arts, and I am so excited to begin this new journey!

Paige Magee, Co-Director

Not only do I teach kindergarten but I also have the privilege of teaching college students at the University of Oklahoma in Early Childhood Education. I have been married to my husband, Shawn, for 32 year and we have three sons; Tyler, Trevor and Trace and an amazing daughter-in-law, Katie. I have had the incredible opportunity to be a part of Summer Institute for the past five years. I have been teaching Kindergarten for 28 years in the Norman Public School system.

Devin Martinez, Coach

I grew up about 30 minutes away from where I work in the small town of Sulphur, OK. I never imagined I would be a teacher. I was student who made good grades, but only to reinforce my juvenile arrogance. I got in trouble regularly, mostly because I couldn't stop talking. I guess I just always had a lot to say. I was the editor for my school newspaper and I always had a passion for writing. Now I get to share my passion for writing with students who actually want to write. I love getting to know my students and building those life long relationships. That being said, I hold my students to very high standard and my expectations are for them to live up to that standard. I believe greatness lies in every one of my students. It's my job to bring it out of them. I teach
Creative Writing at Ardmore.

Patty O'Donnell, Coach

I have been teaching for almost a decade (wow I am old). I live in Moore, OK with my husband Pat, and two furchildren Bella and Jacob. I teach 3rd grade at Parks Elementary in OKCPS.

Julie Rains, Coach

I live in Bella Vista, AR where I moved in July 2018 with my family that consists of my husband, Cory, son with Autism, Bruce, age 10, son Charles, age 9, son Daniel with preaxial polydactyly age 3 1/2, and Great Perinese dog, age 2 1/2, a shelter rescue, named Max, and a bunny named Ruby. I love to hula hoop. I teach in Bentonville, AR Public Schools.

Lisa Smith, Coach

I was raised in a small, rural town in North Dakota. I love spending time with my family. My husband, Rich and I have been married for 25 years. I have two children, Spencer and Morgan, as well as a step-daughter, Gail. I love being back in Oklahoma to answer my calling. I teach 6th grade ELA, Reading and Social Studies at Northmoor Elementary.