VPS Names Mr. Tony Nash as District Teacher of the Year (2025)

VINITA, OK – 12/04/25

– Vinita Public Schools (VPS) is thrilled to announce the selection of Mr. Tony Nash as the 2025 Vinita Public Schools District Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Nash, a dedicated Vocal Music teacher at Will Rogers Elementary School, was chosen from a strong field of exceptional building-level nominees. He is being recognized for his innovative teaching methods, which often include dynamic performance projects and musical creativity, ensuring every student is actively involved in the curriculum. Mr. Nash shares that his philosophy is, "Music is Medicine," a commitment that embodies our district's focus on high-quality Curriculum and Learning and the pursuit of student mastery.

Praise from School Leadership

Mrs. Roxie Vail, Will Rogers Elementary Principal, highlighted Mr. Nash's impact on his students and colleagues.

"Mr. Nash’s classroom is a model of excellence. He fosters a genuine love of learning, harnessing the power of music to empower his students' confidence and creativity," Mrs. Vail stated. "His infectious energy and dedication to the arts make him an invaluable asset to the Will Rogers staff and our entire district."

Superintendent Gabe Schmidt affirmed the district's pride in the selection.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have Mr. Nash investing in our students' futures," said Superintendent Schmidt. "His passion for education and his commitment to answering the critical question, 'What do we want students to know and be able to do?' is evident in his classroom every day. Mr. Nash exemplifies the professional standard we aim for across VPS, and we are confident as he continues to grow; he will be a phenomenal representative for our district at the state level."

Next Steps

Mr. Nash will now move forward to represent Vinita Public Schools in the state-level Oklahoma Teacher of the Year competition, where his application will be submitted by the December 30th deadline. The district's Curriculum & Learning team will be providing dedicated support to maximize the competitiveness of his state submission.