Dr. Pamela Deering, Superintendent of Midwest City-Del City Public Schools, has been named the 2015 Oklahoma Superintendent of the Year by the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators (OASA).

Dr. Deering will be recognized during the Annual Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA) Summer Conference, held June 11-12 in Norman. Deering will be honored by her colleagues with the highest award presented each year to a public school superintendent, during the morning general session on Thursday, June 11 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center. Over 1,000 Oklahoma school administrators will be in attendance at this year’s conference.

“Dr. Deering is an outstanding educator whose professional work exemplifies the best qualities of school leadership,” Steven Crawford, Executive Director of OASA stated. Crawford went on to say, “I am proud to call Pam Deering my friend and colleague. Oklahoma’s public school superintendents will be well represented by Dr. Deering at the national AASA conference in February of 2016.”

A selection committee chose Dr. Deering to receive this award based upon the following criteria: strong moral values, demonstration of successful experience in a top-level educational administrative position, the ability to inspire and motivate people, and the promotion of personal and professional growth in herself and others. Finalists for the award must be active participants in local, state, and national professional organizations.

In making their decision, the selection committee considered Dr. Deering’s leadership philosophy which states, “With the belief of learning for all, I strive to create a shared-vision for academic success based on the principles of effective schools’ research, to work collaboratively with parents, teachers, staff and community, and to ensure financial stability, transparency, and accountability.”

Upon learning of this award, Dr. Deering stated, “It is one of the highest honors of my professional career to be associated with and recognized by our state’s school administrators as the Superintendent of the Year.” She went on to say, “My sincerest thanks to my Board of Education for their support and encouragement. I am so proud to be a part of the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators and all that our professional association has to offer schools and school leaders. This recognition is truly special and I am filled with gratitude for being selected to represent the State of Oklahoma.”

Dr. Deering began serving as the Superintendent for Midwest City-Del City Public Schools in March of 2012, following one year as the district’s Deputy Superintendent of Fiscal Services and Human Resources, and sixteen years as the district’s Assistant Superintendent of Fiscal Services and Treasurer.

Deering began her education career as a special education teacher for the Fort Worth Independent School District over 40 years ago. She returned to Oklahoma as a Special Education Coordinator at the Oklahoma State Department of Education, and went on to serve as a Special Education Assistant Administrator, Assistant Director of Financial Services, and Assistant State Superintendent/Director of Finance for the agency. Dr. Deering served as the Director of Budget and Financial Management for Oklahoma City Public Schools and the Executive Director of Budgeting and Financial Management for Moore Public Schools prior to serving the Midwest City-Del City Public School District.

Deering currently serves on the Board of OASA as a District Director for OASA District 7. In addition, Deering serves as the Treasurer of the United Suburban Schools Association (USSA).

Dr. Deering has received a number of professional awards and accolades throughout her career. In 2014 she was named the District 7 Superintendent of the Year. She was inducted into the East Central Education Hall of Fame in 2013, and awarded the Midwest City Rotary Club Vocational Award, also in 2013. In 2009 she was named the OASA Central Office Assistant Superintendent/Central Office Administrator of the Year. That same year the Oklahoma Association of School Business Officials (OKASBO) awarded her the title of School Business Official of the Year. Deering also received the State Superintendent’s Arts in Excellence Award in 2015.

Deering is a horse enthusiast, and participates in hunter/jumper English riding. She enjoys time with her granddaughter Adelyn and teaching her to ride her pony. When possible, she likes to travel with her husband, Retired Major General Myles Deering.

The Oklahoma Association of School Administrators is under the umbrella of the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration. CCOSA is an incorporated, non-profit organization serving over 2800 superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, special education directors, and central office administrators.