OHS East and West campus Teachers of the Year

By Alivia Williams 

Asia McCammon: OHS East campus Teacher of the Year

Photo of Mrs. McCammon and her son provided by Asia McCammon

Known as a bright and personable educator among students, Asia McCammon has been teaching for eight years– five of those, including her time at Owasso thus far. Mrs. McCammon teaches U.S. History and AP European History; her passion for the subject is undeniable. McCammon attributes her initial interest in history to her grandmother, who gained her attention through the retelling of events that happened over the course of her lifetime. In the beginning of her post-secondary education, McCammon believed she wanted to work in the physical therapy field. Although, she knew something about the profession did not suit her. 

“I had a professor who was tough, she told me, ‘If you aren’t passionate about this, you need to quit now.’ It was just one of those things that resonated with me,” McCammon expresses. 

McCammon’s reasonable judgment strayed her from a career that would have been unsatisfactory for her in the long run. Thankfully, she discovered a flourishing enthusiasm for history. 

“I sat down with my grandma, and we watched a history documentary, and it was like a lightbulb— this is what I want to do. Making the connection between helping people and history, [I decided to be] a history teacher,” McCammon exclaims. 

Due to her past circumstances, McCammon understands the pressure that comes with finding a career that suits oneself. She emphasizes this point to her students: it is okay not to have it all figured out by graduation. McCammon reiterates that greater meaning comes from taking the time to learn what one would enjoy pursuing in the long run.

“It doesn’t matter what you want to do— just be happy doing it. It doesn’t matter how much money you make, if you end up unhappy, the rest won’t mean anything,” McCammon says. 

Upon choosing her career as a history teacher, McCammon finds many aspects of her job to be rewarding. She establishes that the kids are the most fulfilling part of being a teacher.

“Understanding their quirks, the different personalities, and getting to the point where they make the connections. Their excitement meets my excitement—- we have a blast through all the stresses and the happiness,” McCammon expresses.

In turn, she expresses herself to her students by being her authentic self, sharing her hobbies and interests they may have in common with students. 

“It’s important for them to see the authenticity there and understand who I am. I feel that the more you get to know me the more familiar I can become and the more relatable,” McCammon states. 

When the school year proves to be challenging, McCammon finds support through her colleagues and family, and they continue to keep her motivated. 

“Me and Lisa McBride, we are in the trenches together a lot. I think I motivate her as much as she motivates me, and then, of course, I have all my neighbors who are amazing teachers—- we really build each other up when things get rough,” says McCammon. 

Outside of her career as an educator, Mrs. McCammon has a few hobbies she enjoys in her free time. She plays tennis with her colleague, Ms. Anderson, when the weather allows. She’s also heavily involved in soccer; she enjoys playing in leagues, as well as watching. She also loves music, stating that she used to go to concerts often. 

With a welcoming personality and a kind demeanor, Mrs. McCammon proves to be a wonderful and encouraging educator. Her efforts are greatly appreciated and noticed by her students. 

As one of her former students, Ava Burnett, comments, “I love how much she cares about her students. She takes the time to get to know us and make accommodations for people. She knows so much about history and makes it very interesting to be in her class.”

Meghann Kannett: OHS West campus Teacher of the Year

Photo of Mrs. Kannett provided by Meghann Kannett

Meghann Kannett is regarded as a dedicated English I and II teacher on the OHS West campus. Mrs. Kannett has been teaching for 15 years, all 15 being at Owasso. In fact, her family consists of a long line of educators. Her familial connections inspired her in part to become a teacher, as well as provided her an outlet for advice and motivation. When deciding her career path, Kannett gained great inspiration from her high school volleyball coach. 

“I graduated from Owasso, so I had a lot of fantastic teachers. The person who inspired me the most was my high school volleyball coach. She inspired me to want to be like her as far as a teacher and a coach,” Kannett expresses. 

Her family has also had a large influence in her profession, and was the main reason for her willingness to strive for her students. 

“My whole family consists of teachers; that has helped shape me too. It helps me learn– I can build off of their advice and experiences,” says Kannett. 

Kannett felt drawn to English because of her love for literature and, more specifically, sharing that love for reading with her students. 

“I really enjoy getting them to want to read and helping them find a good book for them to dive into. Also, the creative writing aspect where they get to write about what they want to write about,” Kannett states proudly. 

Furthermore, when it comes to connecting with her students, Kannett’s first priority is creating a welcoming classroom environment. 

“Being vulnerable and letting them get to know me and who I am as a person, I feel like if I open up to them… that it makes them want to do the same with me, whether it be through their writing or having a conversation with me,” Kannett says. 

Even outside of the classroom, Kannett is further involved with OHS by coaching the girl’s volleyball team. She finds joy and motivation in the small things, whether it be a volleyball win or a breakthrough with her students. 

When she’s not coaching or teaching English, Mrs. Kannett enjoys running half-marathons, watching baseball and traveling with her family. 

Mrs. Kannett holds such compassion for her students; she believes her students are the most rewarding part of her job, stating, “The kids who want to build a relationship with you…anything that promotes building the (student-teacher) connection out of the classroom, is the most rewarding part.”

Senior Samantha Squiroz provides a positive testament to Mrs. Kannett’s dedication to her students: “Mrs. Kannett has a supportive and engaging teaching style, which helped my love of literature grow. Her encouragement and feedback made a positive impact on me as a student.”

There is no doubt that both Mrs. McCammon and Mrs. Kannett are deserving of the Teacher of the Year title. Their open and honest personalities make students feel comfortable and welcomed in a setting that can be intimidating for some. In a world where great teachers can be scarce, be sure to thank those who make the effort for their students. Education is a two-way street— it is important for students to extend gratitude to their teachers; it can be a tiring job! 

Congratulations to both of these wonderful educators!