Akela Leach Named TPS Teacher of the Year
Tulsa Public Schools has named Akela Leach as its 2026 Teacher of the Year, recognizing her impact in the classroom and her deep roots in the district.
A Tulsa native and TPS graduate, Leach attended Mayo Demonstration Elementary, Thoreau Demonstration Academy and Booker T. Washington High School before returning to teach in the same community that shaped her.
“It feels full circle,” she says. “I’ve always loved learning and felt connected to this community.”
Leach, a fifth-grade teacher at Lanier, didn’t initially set out to become a teacher. After working with nonprofit organizations through AmeriCorps, she realized she was most drawn to programs serving students. She returned to Tulsa, started as a paraprofessional and later earned her teaching credentials.
Now in her 11th year at Lanier, Leach is passionate about building strong foundations for young learners. She credits her own elementary teachers with shaping her approach and still uses some of those same techniques in her classroom today.
Beyond academics, she creates opportunities for students to take ownership—whether leading morning announcements, serving on safety patrol or contributing to student-led clubs.
“I like giving kids responsibility,” she says. “They take it seriously.”
Leach was selected through a multi-step process that included nominations, a teacher vote, a professional portfolio and multiple rounds of interviews before being named the district’s top educator.
