Judy Schwarz is the Site Teacher of the Year for Westmoore High School. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and was a 2008 Oklahoma Foundation of Excellence Scholarship Recipient.

Schwarz received her bachelor of science degree in math and education in 1994 from Oklahoma State University. She received her master's in education in 1998 from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Her husband, Dan, is senior principal at Moore High School. They have a son, Justin, 11, a fifth-grader at Wayland Bonds Elementary, and daughter Katy, 9, a third-grader, also at Wayland Bonds.

Schwarz has taught at Westmoore since 1994. In the past 16 years, she has taught algebra I, geometry, algebra II, math analysis, pre-AP math analysis and computer education. She has spent time as both cheer and pom sponsor, junior class sponsor and multicultural club sponsor.

"I believe the best teachers are the ones who are still students themselves," Schwarz said. "I enjoy attending workshops and trainings to learn new things, whether it is a hobby or a new approach to a concept I have taught for years."

"Being able to take difficult math objectives and break them down to a level where students can make connections and have a deeper understanding is a daily challenge, but one I look forward to every day," she said. "I also love watching my students as they come to the end of their K-12 education and transition to the amazing world that awaits them. They are my inspiration and my motivation to come to work every day and give 110 percent so they will have the attitude, skills and knowledge to face the many challenges that lie ahead."

Schwarz also served on the Wayland Bonds PTA as Fall Festival chairperson and jog-a-thon chairperson.

"I enjoy spending my free time spending time with my family, watching my kids participate in their activities, reading, exercising and having coffee with my friends," Schwarz said.

Tara Cargal has spent 16 of her 21 years as an educator, teaching second grade at Kingsgate Elementary School.

"I am thrilled to be their 36th Teacher of the Year," she said.

Her caring approach to having each classroom individual achieve personal success is her daily goal, her fellow teachers said.

"Over the years, programs such as Reflections, Reading Sufficiency and visual arts education have been enhanced from her leadership," they said.

Cargal and her husband, John, are advocates for art education and have given many workshops to students and teachers at the local and state level including presenting at the upcoming 2010 State Superintendent's Social Studies and Fine Arts Centennial Conference.

Outside the realm of teaching, you will find Cargal actively involved with the Southmoore drama department designing and making costumes. Her community service ranges from years of being a Sunday school teacher, to volunteering her time to community theaters, their academies and scholarship organizations.

The Cargals have one daughter, Brighton, and they are her biggest fans as she performs in Southmoore's production of "Oklahoma!" and is a semi-finalist in the Oklahoma City Star competition.