Burlington kindergarten teacher Teresa Sims has been in education for 24 years. Burlington is the fifth school of her teaching career and she has been here three years.

She was nominated by fellow Burlington first grade teacher, Anne Graham, for the Professional Oklahoma Educators (POE) Excellence in Education Elementary Merit Award. This is an award that recognizes Oklahoma educators who demonstrate a commitment to their students in teaching strength of character and excellence in the classroom.

Nominees for this award fill out paperwork describing their history in education. They get recomme...