Cheryl Bukacek, wife and mother of two, is in her third year at Chisholm High School teaching computer applications. Teaching things like Word, Excel, Power Point plus digital media that includes layout design and animation. She calls it the “fun stuff.” Bukacek is also cosponsor of the National Honor Society with Mrs. Warnock.
The National Honor Society has about 60 students but will be adding a big freshman class soon. Students are required to do 6 hours of community service each semester.
Back in 2010, Bukacek was working at a job outside education when Steven Walden begged her to teach at Cimarron School. She began teaching and moved to Chisholm three years ago. She is the first person in her family to earn a college degree. Her undergraduate degree is from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Business Administration. Her graduate degree in Masters of Arts in Education is from York college (now York University) in York, Nebraska, in 2021.
Chisholm High School Principal, Cindy Black, shared with me that Bukacek “consistently demonstrates exceptional ability to foster positive, trusting relationships with students, helping them grow both academically and personally. She goes above and beyond to create an inclusive and supportive classroom environment, where students feel valued, heard, and motivated to succeed.” Black went on to say that Bukacek contributes to the CHS culture of “best is the standard each day by supporting both students and staff and inspiring others to always be the best version of themselves.”
Bukaceck is an Enid High School graduate, and I asked her about other teachers that have influenced her. She paused and mentioned Jinny Shipley, remembering the lessons she learned about hard work and accountability. Those traits she now shares with her students.
When asked about what advice she might give to a 9th grade student about being successful in high school, she thought for a moment and replied “be a leader, not a follower and do the right thing.” She went on to add that she tries to help students with what they need. And then she said to “serve them not as a friend but as a teacher.”
Bukacek talked about how gratifying it is to see a student learn, achieve and help someone else in class. She has eleven years until retirement but doubts she will make it that far. For now, she is content to make a difference in the classroom each day.
