Derrick Miller
COMANCHE — Education is an essential part to life, but it wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for those that teach the lessons.
The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence name the educators who will receive the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence. Among those recipients was Terry Davidson, Comanche Public Schools superintendent.
Five awards will be given to recognize instructors, from elementary, secondary, community college or regional university, research university, and exceptional administrator from either the elementary or secondary level. Davidson was recognized as the administrator. All of the award winners will receive recognition during a banquet May 22.
“I’m reminded of a quote I heard several years ago: ‘If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he didn’t get there by himself,’” Davidson said. “It’s taken some heavy lifters to lift this turtle.
“Any recognition I’ve received belongs to the people in Comanche who have supported me and encouraged me during the last 15 years.”
Davidson has been the superintendent of Comanche schools since 1995. He has been an educator for 37 years.
Davidson has accomplished numerous things during his tenure at Comanche Public Schools, whether getting more than $3 million in grants for the district, launching an alternative education program and a daycare center, instituting a state-of-the art fitness program for the district, or implementing a new math curriculum to improve student learning.
He said he was appreciative to the members of the Comanche community for helping him to win the recognition.
“I especially appreciate former school board member Dayton Sitz, who nominated me for the award and Joann Ball, who prepared the application packet and submitted it to the Oklahoma Foundation of Excellence,” Davidson said. “It’s exciting to receive a statewide award, but the most exciting time for me was when I realized I was being recommended for the award by people who actually know me and have worked with me.
“I am so grateful to the members of the Comanche Board of Education for giving me the opportunity to work in this special place and all of the faculty members who work so hard every day for the benefit of the young people in this community.”
The Oklahoma Foundation of Excellence is a non-profit organization designed to recognize academic excellence in public schools in Oklahoma.
David L. Boren, founder and chairman of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, said, “We know that education is the best investment Oklahoma can make in its future. By honoring these exceptional educators, we are sending a message that Oklahomans deeply value excellence in public schools and the professionals who have given them so much of themselves to enrich the lives of our children.”
— Derrick Miller is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 160, or via e-mail at derrick.miller@duncanbanner.com.
