The Norman Public School District tonight announced Dr. Rob Bradshaw, orchestra teacher at Longfellow Middle School, as the district’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. Bradshaw joined NPS in the 2017-18 school year and previously taught at the university level. 

“Each day, Rob’s work in the classroom reflects Norman Public Schools’ mission of preparing and inspiring all students to achieve their full potential,” Superintendent Dr. Nick Migliorino said. “A NPS graduate himself, Rob recognizes the importance of public education and providing opportunities to students. He is an incredible educator who brings authenticity and a passion for music into his classroom, instilling that passion in his students as well. I am proud of Rob and know he is going to be an extraordinary representative of our district this year.” 

At the district level, Bradshaw serves as a board member for both the NPS Visiting Artist Program and the NPS Orchestra Advisory Board. For the last two years, he has served as a mentor for first-year teachers. In addition to his role as an educator, Bradshaw works as a professional musician, often inviting his students to attend his concerts so they can see there are ways to continue playing after school has ended. He’s the principal cellist for the Fort Smith Symphony and is active with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, performing with the group and also teaching adult beginners how to play string instruments through the organization’s outreach program. Additionally, Bradshaw volunteers as the artistic director of Scissortail Productions, a Norman-based nonprofit arts organization, where he oversees the classical concert series and outreach programs. He started the ScissortailNEXT program in 2017, which provides local K-12 students with opportunities to perform alongside concert artists in the concert series. 

Bradshaw was selected through a competitive process, coordinated by the district’s Staff Development Committee. After being selected as the Teacher of the Year for Longfellow Middle School, he submitted a comprehensive portfolio, participated in various interviews and a video that showcased his teaching skills and philosophy. He was one of six finalists for the award and was crowned during the district's annual Celebration of Excellence event. 

Veteran educators, as well as those who are new to the profession, were also recognized during the celebration. The district’s Rookie Teacher of the Year, Sofia Alvarez-Briglie, accepted the award for her excellence as a first-year teacher at Alcott Middle School, while Zuri Holder of Madison Elementary was named the district’s Special Education Teacher of the Year.

The district named Curtis Massey as the Lois Annesley Support Employee of the Year. Speichinger, a teaching assistant at Eisenhower Elementary, was chosen from a group of six award-winning finalists from departments across the district. 

District officials also honored the Assistance League of Norman’s Operation School Bell program with the 2022 Public Education Ambassador of the Year Award. Operation School Bell provides new clothing, shoes and hygiene supplies to kindergarten through 12th grade students in need. Volunteers help students select these items in a retail-like environment, as maintaining the dignity of students is one of their primary goals. Through 44 years of service to the community, Operation School Bell has clothed tens of thousands of students in need.