Oklahoma continues to face one of the most persistent teacher shortages in the country, making strong educator pipelines essential for student success. Expand Energy is proud to continue its long‑standing partnership with the Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) Foundation to help meet this need.
Our support centers on the Foundation’s highly successful Teacher Pipeline Program (TPP) — the largest and most effective ‘grow your own’ educator initiative in Oklahoma — and includes additional funding for MLK Jr. Elementary, a public school near our Oklahoma City corporate office.
Since its launch in 2016, the TPP has created a debt free pathway for OKCPS paraprofessionals to earn their degrees and become fully certified teachers. With 48 graduates to date, a 90% retention rate and 98 current participants, the program is transforming the district’s teacher workforce.
Graduates enter the classroom as highly trained educators and commit to teaching in OKCPS for at least three years. Many of these teachers come from diverse backgrounds, another important outcome for OKCPS as it works to increase representation across its schools.
Expand Energy’s investment directly supports these future teachers — covering tuition, books, fees and wraparound services that allow participants to continue working while completing their degrees. A recent graduate, Mayra, exemplifies the program’s profound impact.
Mayra was a paraprofessional for three years before entering TPP. A recent graduate, she worked for nine years balancing coursework, work and family. She is now employed as a certified OKCPS teacher.
“A lot of the students I work with need a lot of support to learn English. I feel like I can really help them with this since I am bilingual,” Mayra said. “I want to be a role model for my students. I want to show my kids that anything is possible if you work hard and make goals for yourself.”
Expand Energy’s OKCPS Foundation engagement also extends to hands-on volunteerism. Matt Garner, Vice President – HSER, serves on the OKCPS Foundation Board and recently recruited members of his team to volunteer with the Foundation’s Book Bus. This initiative brings a mobile book library to every OKCPS elementary, middle and high school, providing each student a book to take home.
“Serving as Expand Energy’s representative in our partnership with the OKCPS Foundation is truly an honor,” Garner said. “Supporting programs like the Teacher Pipeline, ReadOKC and Coat‑a‑Kid strengthens our schools and creates lasting opportunities for our students. The work we’re investing in today is building a stronger education system that benefits our entire Oklahoma City community.”
