Norman Public Schools is proud to announce that Darcy Pippins, Spanish teacher and world languages department chair at Norman High School, has been named a 2026 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence recipient by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence (OFE).
Pippins was selected as the recipient of the Medal for Excellence in Secondary Teaching, one of the state’s most prestigious honors for public educators. The award recognizes exceptional teachers for their passion and innovation, commitment to professional growth, and extraordinary impact on student learning.
Pippins has served Norman Public Schools for 28 years, inspiring generations of students through her dynamic approach to language acquisition and her deep commitment to expanding access to world language education.
“Darcy Pippins exemplifies what it means to be an exceptional educator,” Superintendent Dr. Nick Migliorino said. “Her influence extends far beyond her classroom, shaping future educators and opening doors for students across our district.”
In addition to her work at Norman High School, Pippins launched an elementary Spanish program that has grown into a districtwide initiative. What began as a small volunteer effort now reaches 27 fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms across six Norman Public Schools elementary schools, supported by 61 Norman High School student teachers. The program earned the Global Engagement Initiative Award from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and has inspired many participating students to pursue careers in education.
Inside her own classroom, Pippins uses innovative, research-based instructional strategies, including immersive storytelling and personalized communication techniques, to create an engaging, low-stress environment that supports authentic language acquisition.
Pippins is also a nationally recognized leader in world language education. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, a former president of the Oklahoma Foreign Language Teachers’ Association, NPS Spanish Language Academy advisory board member and a frequent presenter at state, national, and international language conferences. In 2025, she hosted an international language conference at Norman High School that drew educators from 30 states and five countries.
A graduate of Norman High School, Pippins earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma. She has previously been named Oklahoma World Language Teacher of the Year and Southwest Region World Language Teacher of the Year, and she was a finalist for National World Language Teacher of the Year.
Pippins will be formally honored at the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Academic Awards Celebration on May 2, 2026, at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Each Medal for Excellence recipient receives a $5,000 award, a medallion, and a commemorative sculpture.
Norman Public Schools congratulates Ms. Pippins on this well-deserved recognition and thanks her for her lasting impact on students, colleagues, and the Norman community.