News Releases

McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students visit Southeastern Oklahoma State University Part 2

Sixty-six McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students recently toured SOSU (Southeastern Oklahoma State University) in Durant. Students began the day in the Glen D. Johnson Student Union to meet On-campus Recruiter and Admissions Counselor Sarah Hughes. Hughes began a walking tour of campus where students saw Morrison Hall, the oldest building on campus and home to the education department. Hughes then proceeded to show the students other buildings on campus, such as the Administration Building

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McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students tour the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery Part 2

Thirty-five McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students recently toured the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery. The tour began in the museum where students saw various exhibits. There were a series of exhibits, which showcased the lifestyles of the late 1800s and early 1900s, including a doctor’s office, post office, barbershop whom not only cut hair but pulled teeth, and classroom. Students were fascinated by how far things have changed and what they are used

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McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students tour the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery Part 1

Thirty-four McAlester ninth Grade GEAR UP students recently visited the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery. Students participated in an outdoor walking tour of the Civil War Cemetery, learning about the history of the Civil War in Southeast Oklahoma, including the fact that the cemetery is the only designated Confederate cemetery in Oklahoma. Students also toured the museum, which includes history of Atoka County, such as displays of legendary professional bull rider Lane Frost, country

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McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students explore Southeastern Oklahoma State University Part 1

Seventy McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students recently explored SOSU (Southeastern Oklahoma State University) in Durant. Students were welcomed in the Glen D. Johnson Student Union by campus recruiters. Students were divided into three separate groups and given a tour of campus. The tours began in the Bloomer Sullivan gymnasium where NBA player Dennis Rodman’s jersey hangs. Rodman is a former SOSU athlete. Students then toured Shearer Hall & Suites, an apartment-style housing option. Throughout

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McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students tour the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery

McAlester ninth grade Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP students recently toured the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery, giving students an in-depth knowledge of Oklahoma history. Students participated in an outdoor walking tour of the Civil War Cemetery, learning about the history of the Civil War in Southeast Oklahoma. The cemetery was first established by travelers on the Butterfield stage road when measles swept through the area. Students also toured the museum, which includes

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Area Math and Science Teachers Attend Texas Instruments Training in McAlester

Fifteen area middle school math and science teachers recently participated in a two-day beginner TI (Texas Instruments) workshop while 13 teachers participated in a one-day intermediate and advanced training at Eastern Oklahoma State College in McAlester. The workshops were sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP and was designed to help teachers integrate technology effectively into instruction. The trainings were conducted by Texas Instruments Specialists Mike Smith, Fred Ferneyhough, Sandra Hocutt, and Cassie Whitecotton.

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Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP provides professional development for McAlester’s Puterbaugh teachers

GEAR UP Professional Development Coordinator John Spiegel recently presented a Love and Logic workshop at Puterbaugh Middle School. Spiegel presented Module Two, Delayed Consequences, to teachers. Spiegel’s goal is to provide teachers with an opportunity to make a lasting and positive influence in their schools and communities. “I love presenting Love and Logic strategies to teachers,” Spiegel said. “The strategies are designed to be low stress for highly successful educators. Anything we can do to

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Area educators attend ICAP workshop at the McAlester campus of Eastern Oklahoma State College

Over 30 area superintendents, principals, counselors, teachers, and GEAR UP team members recently attended an ICAP (Individual Career Academic Plan) workshop at the McAlester campus of Eastern Oklahoma State College. The workshop was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP. Regina Carr, Atoka High School’s ICAP Coordinator/BMITE teacher outlined the plan Atoka is implementing and provided “lessons learned.” Atoka was selected as one of the ICAP Pilot Study Districts. The State Department of Education

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Area math and science teachers attend GEAR UP-sponsored Intermediate and Advanced T3 BOOST Math and Science Training in McAlester

Twenty–six area middle school math and science teachers recently participated in a one-day workshop sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP. The workshop was designed to help them integrate technology effectively into instruction. The intermediate/advanced training was conducted by Texas Instruments (TI) Specialists Sandra Hocutt and Cassie Whitecotton. “This was a great way to begin 2019!” exclaimed GEAR UP Professional Development Coordinator John Spiegel. “We love to hear the teachers collaborating and learning how

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Area math and science teachers attend GEAR UP-sponsored Beginners T3 BOOST Math and Science Training in McAlester

Thirty-one area middle school math and science teachers recently participated in a two-day workshop sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP. The workshop was designed to help them integrate technology effectively into instruction. The beginner training was conducted by Texas Instruments (TI) Specialists Sandra Hocutt and Cassie Whitecotton. “What an exciting group of educators!” exclaimed GEAR UP Professional Development Coordinator John Spiegel. “These beginners were eager to learn and share their classroom experiences with

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McAlester 7th grade boys tour Bacone College and the Five Civilized Tribes Museum

Students from Puterbaugh Middle School recently toured Bacone College and the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee. First stop was Bacone College where Vice President of Student Affairs Kaila Harjo shared the history of the academic institution. Harjo said Bacone College was initially a private school founded 138 years ago and was the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of Oklahoma. Bacone is related to the American Baptist Association but participation in religious

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Puterbaugh 7th grade boys tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum

Thirty-four 7th grade GEAR UP boys from Puterbaugh recently traveled to Muskogee to tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum. The tour began at Bacone College in the Ginny Palmer Center where students met with Kaila Harjo, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs. Harjo shared the history of Bacone, stating the college was established in 1880 prior to Oklahoma becoming a state. Harjo reported all students at Bacone have the opportunity to participate

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McAlester 7th graders tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum

Thirty-six McAlester Public School seventh grade GEAR UP students recently traveled to Muskogee to tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum. The tour began at Bacone College in the Ginny Palmer Center where students met with Athletic Compliance Director/Admission Specialist Juan Davis. Davis shared the history of Bacone, stating the college was the oldest institution of higher learning in Oklahoma. While Bacone was originally established to provide education to Native American students, the

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McAlester 8th Grade GEAR UP girls tour Northeastern State University

Seventy-eight McAlester 8th grade GEAR UP students recently toured Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequah. Students began the day at the W. Roger Webb Educational Technology Center where they were greeted by Kaylee Switzer, Northeastern State University Representative and alumnae, and Northeastern State University Student Ambassadors, Lexie Billingsley, Sakshi Kaushik, and Brittany Waters. Switzer presented students with an overview of NSU. After the presentation, students were separated into three groups to tour the other buildings

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McAlester 8th grade GEAR UP boys tour Northeastern State University

Eighty-nine McAlester 8th grade GEAR UP students recently toured Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequah. Students began the day at the W. Roger Webb Educational Technology Center where they were greeted by Kaylee Switzer, Northeastern State University Representative and alumnae, and Northeastern State University Student Ambassadors, Lexie Billingsley, Mollie Hearn, and Caroline Rowland. Switzer presented students with an overview of NSU. After the presentation, students were separated into three groups to tour the other buildings

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Puterbaugh Middle School 7th grade GEAR UP student’s tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum

38 Puterbaugh Middle School 7th grade GEAR UP girls recently traveled to Muskogee to tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum on October 22, 2018.  The tour began at the Palmer Center with students meeting with Bacone staff in the gym to discuss admissions, sports, activities, financial aid and college life. Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of Admissions and Recruitment Kaila Harjo discussed Oklahoma’s Promise stating students would need to

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McAlester 7th grade GEAR UP students tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum

Forty seven McAlester 7th grade GEAR UP students recently traveled to Muskogee to tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum. The tour began at the Ginny Palmer Center which houses classrooms, the gym, Warrior Grill, and the cafeteria. Interim Vice President of Student Affairs/Director of Admissions and Recruitment Kaila Harjo, Athletic Compliance Director and Assistant Coach Juan Davis, and Cross Country Coach Phillip Barnoski provided the students with a tour of the campus

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McAlester 6th Grade GEAR UP Visits the Skeletons Museum of Osteology

Thirty-eight McAlester sixth grade GEAR UP students recently visited the Skeletons: Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City, Okla. The museum is so unique that it has been featured on national television programs, such as Modern Marvels and Dirty Jobs. Students were divided into two groups for the day. Group one started the day by participating in one of the museum’s 12 educational programs while Group two participated in a scavenger hunt throughout the museum. After

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McAlester 6th grade GEAR UP students visit the Museum of Osteology in OKC

Thirty-eight McAlester GEAR UP students recently traveled to Oklahoma City to visit the SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology. Students were welcomed to the museum with multiple skeletons in the lobby area. Inside they divided into two groups. One group participated in a scavenger hunt of the museum exhibits while the other class moved to the classroom for an “Animal CSI” lesson. From comparative anatomy to classification to adaptation and locomotion, SKELETONS has been designed with learning

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