Every year one Edmond Memorial High School teacher receives the honor of being Teacher of the Year, recognizing them for their skills and accomplishments as an educator. This award is one that many teachers aspire to receive in their careers. This year, David Koehn, the director of the EMHS Bulldog orchestra program, became the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year.
Koehn has been a teacher in the Edmond Public Schools district since 2006, teaching at Cimarron Middle School before moving to Memorial. Throughout his 18 years of teaching, his passion for music and education to students has propelled him forward ensuring he stands out in the minds of his colleagues and students alike.
“[One of my core memories as a teacher is]… watching the students grow from freshman year to senior year, and watching them mature as musicians and young adults,” Koehn said.
October can be a challenging time of the year, with students and teachers experiencing feelings of burnout at times, Koehn finds the little things that keep him motivated.
“[What keeps me going is]… the opportunity to teach music, and the depth of music for the people in the ensemble,” Koehn said.
Every teacher has an impact on their students, whether it is the relationships that they build or the connections that are made. This is especially true considering Koehn, as many of his students leave his classroom feeling more connected to their community and more passionate about music than they ever did before.
“There are students that have Mr. Koehn, and they leave having a love for music beyond just the orchestra room,” Head Principal Keith Pautler said. “That’s because of the energy due to the music and joy that plays in his life. After each kid leaves, they have a good sense and appreciation for music.”
In the past, Koehn was recommended for this award several times. This year, the administration team and the teachers decided it was time for the award to be given to its owner.
“His peers, the other teachers in the building, finally decided that it was time to recognize him, and he really did not want this recognition, but in the end, this was his year and he could not get out of it,” Pautler said.
Most teachers at EMHS know Koehn for his humor and his ability to teach. Carrie Higdon, the EMHS Freshman Academy Principal, has worked with Koehn for many years.
“I worked with him at the middle school level, and he worked magic with the crazy middle schoolers who loved music and orchestra,” Higdon said. “His performances are outstanding and so are all of the miracles he does when working on the stage.”
Koehn has been known for his impact on the students that he teaches. From the relationships to the love for music that all the students leave EMHS having, Koehn is a team player all the way through.
“He has a huge impact on his students,” Higdon said. “They come back to visit him, and his students remember him.”
Koehn has shown up at many out-of-school events to support the other programs. He is incredibly involved throughout the entire performing arts department and shows support for the sports programs as well.
“Mr. Koehn pops up in all the other pockets of the performing art programs,” Higdon said. “You will see him at the musicals, the choir shows, and softball state, but in the end, he supports all the programs at Memorial.”
Koehn has shown his support and Bulldog pride through the years. From showing up to musical productions, softball, football, and many more out-of-school activities, this award was a long time coming for David Koehn.
Contact Jordan Moore at [email protected]
