Deborah Layton
"My philosophy of teaching includes advocating education appreciation and life-long learning. I value education and continue striving to learn; therefore, I set high expectations and build confidence in my students so that they’ll know they can attain their goals through hard work and dedication. I support them as people who will contribute to society in a positive way, and I hold them accountable for their choices. I want them to be successful, and it helps that they know that. I support creating community conscious citizens for the future, so demonstrating fairness is a priority to me."
From years of working with young people, Layton learned that they must care before they comprehend. She works to set up a safe atmosphere where students can be comfortable asking questions and feeling like a noticed part of the environment. If students do not see the relevance of the lesson or recognize that the teacher is concerned about the result, they will not even attempt to gain knowledge. In order to get the people to care in her class, she shows them that she values them and their accomplishments, and she illustrates to them the applicability of what they are doing in class to the “real world.”
- BA — Theatre, Oklahoma State University
- MS — Teaching Learning and Leadership, Oklahoma State University
- District Teacher of the Year, Blackwell Public Schools 2011
- Cowley Education Association President and Faculty Liaison 2018-2020
- AQIP Action Project team member on Global Learning
- Phi Theta Kappa Advisor 2012 – 2022
- Paragon Award for New Advisors 2014-2015, Kansas Region Phi Theta Kappa
- Lead Instructor for Composition II and Communications
- Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence and Student Learning 2016-2018
- Strategic Leadership Team for Shared Governance Initiative
- Cowley Education Association member
- Paul Stirnaman Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence 2017-2018
- Cowley Alumni Association member