By: Fred L. Jones, Jr.
fjones@theoklahomaeagle.net
The George Washington Carver Middle School mission statement says: Carver is committed to empowering all students to be inquirers and to meet high academic standards in a nurturing, enriching, supportive environment where individual differences and talents are respected; academic excellence is promoted; lifelong learning is strongly encouraged; critical, creative, and higher level thinking skills are developed; connections among all disciplines are provided; and students are empowered to become productive citizens of the global community.
In determining a Teacher of the Year, an individual must go above and beyond standard measures and requirements to be nominated. Jeana Dorsey exhibits all of these qualities and so much more. Not only was she nominated, she is the Carver Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Dorsey is a product of Tulsa Public Schools. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, Class of 1984, and received her Bachelors of Science in Education from Langston University in 1988. Dorsey started working for TPS in the fall of 1989. She has spent her entire career with TPS – 3 years at Emerson Elementary, 22 years at Springdale Elementary, and is in her 4th year at Carver Middle School.
Jeana reflected, “I have been teaching close to 30 years. Over the years, I have been very involved with student and school related activities, At Emerson Elementary, I was the Safety Patrol Sponsor. At Springdale Elementary, I served as Teacher in Charge, Safety Patrol, and Student Council Sponsors, and served on several committees through my 22 years there. Now at Carver, I’ve assisted with Team Leader, several sports related activities (Dorsey has an extensive athletic background), and I’m also the Ebony Bowl Sponsor”.
Dorsey’s Mother, Sandra P. Davis, shared, “I’m so proud of my daughter. She loves children and discovered her passion early in her teenage years, always wanting to be around them teaching and exploring their little minds. Her students love her — whenever she’s out shopping or at a school activity and sees a former student and/or their parents, they are always glad to see her, greeting her with a hug”.
Pat Caesar, a longtime associate of Dorsey’s, stated, “We are certainly proud of you. We know that you love teaching, and besides that, you genuinely love people and the Lord. You are truly an asset to the community”.
Cheryl Miele, a teaching colleague of Dorsey’s at Springdale Elementary, reacted, ‘’Way to go! You are a great teacher. Glad to know you and have worked with you. Hopefully you get TPS teacher of the year”.
Geeno Alexander is a former student of Dorsey’s, and she also taught her child. She stated, “This award was long overdue for you. Congratulations! You are awesome! Thank you for teaching me – and my mini me, too. We love you”.
Congratulations, Jeana Dorsey. The George Washington Carver Teacher of The Year. Dorsey is also the recipient of the Golden Apple Award from Tulsa Public Schools, Fox 23 News, and Cox Communications, which honors outstanding teachers with a Golden Apple Award and a $250 grant.
