Emeritus Program

The Emeritus title is reserved for certified educators and administrators who have dedicated a significant portion of their professional careers to the students of Owasso. To maintain the prestige and efficacy of the "Emeritus" title, participation is merit-based rather than automatic upon retirement.

• Eligible Roles: Retiring or retired Owasso Public Schools teachers and administrators.
• Service Requirement: A minimum of 20 years of meritorious service within the school district.
• Retirement Status: Must be officially retired from OPS and in good standing with the district and the state teacher retirement system.
• Nomination: Candidates may be nominated upon their official retirement announcement or anytime thereafter. Anyone may nominate a candidate using the nomination form located on the OPS website.
• Approval: Final selection is approved by the Superintendent and presented to the Board of Education.

The scope of an Emeritus member’s opportunities for engagement fall into four main pillars, designed to supplement—not replace—the duties of active, full-time employees.

A: Mentorship

Examples:

• Mentoring first- and second-year teachers to reduce turnover.
• Coaching newly promoted principals or department heads.
• Providing non-evaluative feedback and emotional support to instructional staff.

B: Instructional Support

Examples:

• Serving as guest lecturers or experts in specialized subjects (e.g., advanced STEM, local history, arts).
• Assisting with the curriculum review and development process.
• Professional Development Presenters: Invitations to share their deep pedagogical and leadership expertise as featured presenters during district Professional Development (PD) days.

C: Community & Strategic Advisory

Examples:

• Acting as district ambassadors to community organizations, local businesses, and alumni networks.
• Serving on ad-hoc district committees (e.g., strategic planning, bond election committees, safety task forces).
• Superintendent’s Advisory Council: Lifetime membership on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council, ensuring retired leaders and teachers have a continuous voice in the district's future strategic direction.
• Documenting and preserving district history and traditions.

D: Administrative & Substitute Support

Example:

• Providing a "priority tier" of highly experienced substitute teaching or interim leadership during critical vacancies.

Induction into the Emeritus Program grants lifetime access to the heart of the Ram culture through a blend of school community perks, professional engagement, and district governance.

District Access & Identification

• Special Name Badge: Recipients receive a custom Owasso Public Schools "Emeritus" name badge, signifying their lifetime status.
• Event Admission: Free entry into all Owasso Public Schools home athletic events and fine arts performances (excluding OSSAA playoff games).

Compensation Opportunity

• Will receive the commensurate daily rate corresponding to the current salary scale when serving in a substitute teacher or administrator position.

Community & Culture Integration

• Annual Kick-Off Invitation and Recognition: Exclusive invitations to attend the district’s annual "Welcome Back" staff kick-off event to stay connected and be recognized by colleagues.
• Website Recognition: Prominent, permanent placement on a dedicated "Emeriti Honorees" page on the official Owasso Public Schools website.

To ensure the program remains self-sustaining and relevant, every inducted member is granted active leadership within the program itself.

• Honorary Chair - Superintendent
• Committee Members: (10)
  • Director of Human Resources - (Executive Chair)
  • Former Emeritus Teachers/Administrators: up to (3)
  • Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning & appointed Principals
    • Elementary Principal
    • Secondary Principal
  • Superintendent Appointments: up to (3)
    • Members selected for unique historical and institutional knowledge and long-standing dedication to OPS.
• Voting Membership: Every Emeritus member is eligible to be selected to serve in a voting seat on the Owasso Public Schools Emeritus Committee.
• Committee Responsibilities: The committee meets to review nominations and select Emeritus members and acts as a steering body for the district.