Legislators from the Oklahoma House of Representatives today congratulated Rebecka Peterson, a math teacher at Union High School, for being named National Teacher of the Year for 2023 by the Council of Chief State Schools Officers (CCSSO).

Peterson has taught math, ranging from Intermediate Algebra to Advanced Placement Calculus, for the past 11 years at Union High School.

Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, said House District 67 was proud to claim Peterson as one of their own.

"Rebecka represents the absolute best of Oklahoma and is a wonderful example for every educator in the state," Boatman said. "She finds new ways to make math fun and exciting while helping her students excel, and her accomplishments have set the bar high for herself, her students and educators across the state. Her exemplary work encouraging the next generation of Oklahomans to love mathematics is setting our state up for success, and I'm very proud to have Rebecka as my constituent."

"It's incredibly exciting that our National Teacher of the Year is not only someone who works at a school serving my House district, but is someone who can convey complex math coursework in a way that helps our young people succeed in skills needed in life and in our future workforce," said Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow. "Congratulations to Rebecka Peterson and bless her for her dedication to helping our next generation excel."

"When I heard the news, my first thought was 'well of course she won!'" said Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, who is a former Tulsa-area public school teacher and administrator. "Rebecka has made us all so very proud. She is the finest example of the kinds of teachers who serve in Oklahoma public schools. We have the best teachers in the nation, and now the nation knows!"

"I'm so proud of Rebecka," said House Common Education Chair Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon. "Her accomplishments in the classroom not only benefit her students and her school, but now has elevated Oklahoma onto the national stage, where her success story makes us all shine bright."

Peterson will spend a year as an ambassador for students and teachers, where she will travel across the nation to encourage and attract more teachers to the profession.

Peterson's win marks the first time that a Union High School teacher has had a finalist. It is also the first time since 1964 that Oklahoma has had a national winner.