Oklahoma teacher of the year leaving for Texas

[Elderberry]

newsok.com  by Ben Felder 5/26/2017

A former state teacher of the year is moving to Texas, saying he can no longer afford to work in Oklahoma on a teacher’s salary.

“The simple truth is that we can be paid a respectable wage for doing the same job - this job we love very much - by heading out of state,” Shawn Sheehan, a Norman math teacher, wrote in a Thursday blog post.

Sheehan was named Oklahoma teacher of the year in 2016 and was one of dozens of teachers who ran for the state Legislature last year. His bid for the state Senate was unsuccessful.

Sheehan wrote a guest column for The Oklahoman earlier this year titled “Should I stay or should I go.”

Thursday he announced his decision.

“We could stay, but it would cost our family - specifically our sweet baby girl. My wife and I are not willing to do that,” Sheehan wrote. “We, like you, want what’s best for our children and she deserves to grow up in a state that values education. And so do your children.”

More: http://newsok.com/article/5550651

[truth_seeker]

He ran as Independent, against a Republican, and lost.

My guess is he is a liberal, since most teachers are, most blacks are, and he used Independent to avoid being a democrat.

[dfwgator]

He should move to Austin, he'll feel right at home there.

[mountaineer]

A college classmate who is a social worker within an OK school district frequently complains on Facebook that the state legislature doesn't give enough money to schools. She criticizes pretty much everything the Republicans in OKC do while boohooing about Betsy DeVos. 

[Wingnut]

Educators, (and I use that term very loosely) make terrible elected officials no matter at what level be it local, state or federal.   

[Sanguine]

He ran as Independent, against a Republican, and lost.

My guess is he is a liberal, since most teachers are, most blacks are, and he used Independent to avoid being a democrat.

I didn't find that to be the case when I taught. 

[Night Hides Not]

He should move to Austin, he'll feel right at home there.

He'll have a hard time living in Austin on a teacher's salary.

His best bet is North Texas/DFW, or South Texas/Pearland.