Natalie Fielden one of 12 finalists for state Teacher of the Year
Posted on 07/12/2018
(SPS) - Sapulpa Public Schools teacher Natalie Fielden was announced as one of 12 finalists to be named 2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year.

The announcement came during the EngageOK education conference Thursday morning in Norman.

Fielden teaches Kindergarten at Freedom Elementary.

"This year was an amazing year for me and I will always remember my class from this year. They are a special group of children," said Fielden. "You always have those classes throughout your teaching career that you just want to hold on to them and not let them go. This was one of those years for me."

Natalie Fielden on stage with the other 11 finalists
Natalie Fielden, second from right, stands with the other 11 finalists for 2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year during EngageOK education conference in Norman, Okla. July 12, 2018.

Fielden is the first Teacher of the Year finalist in the history of Sapulpa Public Schools.

“This is a great day for Natalie and for Sapulpa Public Schools. Ms. Fielden is very deserving of being recognized as a finalist for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, and I cannot be more proud of the commitment she has to her students as she prepares them for the successful transition to first grade and beyond,” said Superintendent Armstrong. “She represents educators at Sapulpa Public Schools who live by our vision of Academic Excellence in a Caring Environment.”

Fielden, who has taught at Sapulpa schools for 16 years, is active in United Sapulpa Educators (USE), Oklahoma Education Association (OEA), National Education Association (NEA), and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

She received her National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist in 2004. This certification qualified Fielden to work for NBPTS as an assessor. In that role, she read candidate responses that described best practices teachers offered in early childhood classrooms, evaluated the standards, and used a rubric to assign a score. Being an assessor allowed her she said to fill her “teaching toolbox” with new techniques, project ideas, and resource information.

“You often see Natalie on the floor with kids, in her rocking chair with kids, behind a small group table with kids,” said Principal Owens. “She is a hands-on teacher who is at the forefront of everything that her students are doing.”

In 2013, Fielden became a trainer for NBPTS. In this role, she trains the assessors who score portfolios from candidates seeking National Board Certification.

Fielden said, if selected as Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, she will focus her message on bringing awareness about the scholarship opportunities and benefits available to National Board Certified teachers and she will continue to encourage teachers to advocate for education reforms.

The Teacher of the Year will be announced Sept. 18 at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City.



Natalie Fielden receives hug from Katherine Stufflebeam
Natalie Fielden receives a hug from Katherine Stufflebeam at EngageOK education conference following the announcement of the 12 finalists for 2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in Norman, Okla. July 12, 2018.

Natalie Fielden receives hug from Kim Castaldi
Natalie Fielden receives a hug from Kim Castaldi at EngageOK education conference following the announcement of the 12 finalists for 2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in Norman, Okla. July 12, 2018.

Alison Owens and Natalie Fielden
Freedom Elementary Principal Alison Owens and Freedom Kindergarten teacher Natalie Fielden at EngageOK education conference following the announcement of the 12 finalists for 2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in Norman, Okla. July 12, 2018.

Sapulpa Public Schools at Teacher of Year finalists announcement
(L-R) Kim Castaldi, Katherine Stufflebeam, Alison Owens, Natalie Fielden, Rob Armstrong at EngageOK education conference following the announcement of the 12 finalists for 2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in Norman, Okla. July 12, 2018.