Mr. Cliffton Conatser- 6th Grade Mathematics Teacher
Cliffton D. Conatser is a graduate of East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. He received a BSED in Elementary Education in 1996 and an MSED in Educational Administration in 1998. Mr. Conatser is "Highly Qualified" to teach middle school mathematics through the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
Mr. Conatser has served as Math Department Chair, Benchmark Testing Coordinator, and developed a an elementary math program that, in turn, helped students raise their standardized test scores. With 10 years of educational experience, Mr. Conatser has enjoyed teaching elementary, middle, and high school students. His passion, however, is teaching middle school math. He has also twice attended the KESAM math institute, held on the campus of Southwestern University in Weatherford, Oklahoma, for teachers. KESAM focuses on hands-on, experiential math lessons.
Mr. Conatser looks forward to providing fun and exciting ways of helping each student reach his/her highest math potential.
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Mr. Jeff Eskew- 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Jeff Eskew is originally from Muskogee, Oklahoma. He attended Orange Coast Community College in Coasta Mesa, California where he earned an A.A. in History. He went on to San Francisco State University where he received his B.A. in history. Mr. Eskew taught ELL (English as a second language) in South Korea for five years before returning to Oklahoma. Currently Mr. Eskew is the sixth grade social studies teacher and After School Programs Director. Last year he was awarded the 2006-2007 Middle School Teacher of the Year Award.
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Mr. Kevin Lynch- 6th Grade English Teacher
Kevin Lynch is a graduate of Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, with a B.S.E. in English and a minor in Social Studies, Speech, and Drama. In 2001 he also received an ESL (English as a Second Language) Endorsement from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.
Mr. Lynch has eighteen years of teaching experience. For sixteen years he taught Seventh Grade Language Arts in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Now, Mr. Lynch is very excited to gain his third year of Oklahoma teaching experience at ASTEC Charter Middle School. Throughout his career as an English Teacher, Mr. Lynch has also produced and directed middle school plays, sponsored a seventh grade journalism and newspaper class, and tutored students in an after school tutoring program.
In addition to teaching, Mr. Lynch was chosen to attend “School Improvement Plan Writing” training in Washington, D.C., in order to chair his middle school’s research, progress, and improvement plan committees. He has also served as English Department Chair for many years and been responsible for writing curriculum and aligning it with the Arkansas State Frameworks.
Mr. Lynch has a passion for instructing, motivating, interacting, and connecting with his students. He has received the Junior Cotillion’s “Best Mannered Teacher Award” twice in his career and several student written nominations for “Who’s Who Among American Teachers.”
While Mr. Lynch misses his home state of Arkansas, he now proudly calls himself an Oklahoman. Even more than that, however, he proudly calls himself a teacher.
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Ms. MeLynn Massey- 6th Grade Explore Teacher
MeLynn Massey was born in Wichita, Kansas but grew up in the Rose Hill, Kansas school district. Following graduation, she pursued a degree Business and Communication and graduated May 2001. She moved to Oklahoma in order to teach and finished her M.S. in Teaching, Learning and Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education past spring, from Oklahoma State University.
This is MeLynn’s second year teaching at ASTEC, in which she will teach 6th Grade Explorer and after school drama. She will still also remain over the Special Services at the Middle School level.
MeLynn was a Paraprofessional in Pittsburg, Kansas for a year and has substitute taught in several school districts in Kansas and Oklahoma for the past eight. She was a youth leader for several years; all of these have given her the opportunity to learn a great deal about teaching. Through these experiences she has been able to develop several new techniques for the students to get involved in their studies so that they are motivated to do it right, along with getting it done in a timely manner. She believes that it does take time to develop these relationships and to learn how to effectively work with a diverse student population. MeLynn also believes that all children can learn how to be independent and think on their own. They just need to take responsibility for their actions and their learning behaviors.
Her dog, Samson, greets her every evening after school. He is a Chihuahua/ Dachshund and has one ear that sticks up. Everyone thinks this is adorable.
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Ms. Rebekah Smith- 6th Grade Technology Teacher
Rebekah Smith is a graduate of The University of Oklahoma, in Norman. She has a B.A. in Journalism with emphasis in Broadcast and Electronic Media and a double minor in English Literature and Classics. While at the University of Oklahoma Ms. Smith was active with the spirit squads and was Top Daug for the basketball team. Ms. Smith worked for Universal Cheerleader's Association as an instructor and will be serving as the cheerleading sponsor at ASTEC.
Ms. Smith spent a summer in London, England observing the differences between the British and the American media. While in London, Ms Smith spent most her time observing the BBC. She has also traveled to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Mons.
Ms. Smith is very excited to start her second year at ASTEC.
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Ms. Karen Walker- 6th Grade Science Teacher
Karen Walker is a graduate of East Central Oklahoma State University with a B.S. and M.E. degree in Education. She has 29 years of teaching experience including the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels.
Ms. Walker has been active in the development and implementation of science curriculum, and has served on site and district instructional committees. In an effort to provide more resources for her students and classroom, Ms.Walker has applied for and has been awarded mini-grants for earth science,aeronautics, and math.
This is Ms. Walker's sixth year to teach 6th grade Earth Science at ASTEC. She was very honored to be selected as ASTEC'S 2004-2005 Teacher of the Year. In 2005-2006, she was selected as an Excellent Educator nominee by the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, and was a finalist for the Oklahoma City Public Schools "District Teacher of the Year". In April, 2007, Ms.Walker was chosen to attend an educator's workshop at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the group participated in hands-on space activities and toured the NASA facilities. During this school year, she will be attending workshop sessions with a select group of educators statewide as a member of the 2008-2009 Educational Leadership class.
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