Jena Nelson, the 2020 Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year and a former Democratic State Superintendent candidate, was guest speaker at Sequoyah County Women and Sequoyah County Democrats annual Christmas dinner at the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds. Nelson teaches eighthgrade composition and academic enhancement at Deer Creek Middle School (near Edmond), and is a 15-year educator and formerly taught theater, musical theater and stagecraft. A longtime advocate for career-based curriculum, Nelson has helped her students earn more than $4 million in scholarships, and incorporates career readiness in all her classes. Named one of the top 45 educators in the nation in 2021, Nelson is currently director of programs for the Oklahoma Faith Network.