(MIDWEST CITY – July 14, 2008) Jenifer Bazzit is a 4th and 5th grade teacher at Sooner Rose Elementary in Midwest City. She teaches social studies, and her principal says “makes history come alive for her students.”

This is Sherry Harvey’s first year to teach business law and computer applications at Grove High School. Previously, she spent more than 20 years in the U.S. Army at various duty stations including the Pentagon, Belgium and England.

Kevin Jones is a high school teacher at Town and Country in Tulsa. He teaches U.S. history, government and world history. He’s also the coach for the boys and girls basketball teams.

Despite their differences, these three teachers are among 12 Oklahoma educators attending the 19th annual PACE (Programs Advancing Citizenship Education) Institute, coordinated by the Oklahoma Bar Association. This year’s institute is being held at the Reed Conference Center in Midwest City, July 13 – 17.

Other teachers participating are Allyson Cleveland, Meeker Elementary School, Meeker; Susan Croston, Anderson Public School, Sand Springs; Angela Durant-Tyson, Tulsa Technology Center, Tulsa; Jennifer Mlynek, Meeker Elementary School, Meeker; Tracy Parker, Apple Creek Elementary, Moore; Kimberly Vaughn, Walters Public School, Walters; Diane Walker, Ben Franklin Science Academy, Muskogee; and Candace West, Star Spencer High School, Spencer. Charlie Bevers, a teacher at Whittier Middle School in Norman, is serving as a mentor.

During the week, participants will examine the various aspects of the three branches of the government. Court visits, guest speakers and interactive workshops including a session on the executive branch presented by Attorney General Drew Edmondson are scheduled. Frosty Troy, founding editor of The Oklahoma Observer and member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, served as the keynote speaker for the institute’s opening reception.

The teachers were awarded full scholarships to attend the institute.

“This PACE Institute is designed to show teachers that there are many free resources for educators to help them reach their students in more positive ways,” said OBA Law-related Education Coordinator Jane McConnell. “Hopefully we can motivate and re-energize our teachers in the state to keep the students more informed and entertained. This year, PACE is offering real hands-on activities as to what’s going on in our state government and is providing strategies on connecting their students with the knowledge of the local, state and federal government.”