Positive Tomorrows is proud to celebrate third-grade teacher Shavonya Coleman, who has been named a recipient of the prestigious Honored National Teaching Award, a recognition given to educators who have made a life-changing impact on a student. As part of the award, Mrs. Coleman was featured on the Inspiring Teachers podcast.

Mrs. Coleman was nominated by the mother of one of her students who says her child’s life has been profoundly impacted by Mrs. Coleman’s care and dedication.

Since being in Mrs. Coleman’s class, Serenity has grown tremendously. She went from struggling with addition and subtraction to proudly doing division problems. She’s excited about learning again — so much that she recently said, “I wish the weekend wasn’t so long.” That’s something I never thought I’d hear from her. Mrs. Coleman has that rare gift that you just can’t teach — the perfect balance of patience, firmness, and genuine love for her students. She reminds me of those “old-school” teachers who cared deeply about every child, no matter where they came from or what challenges they faced. At Positive Tomorrows, where many of the students are unhoused and may be behind academically, her compassion and dedication mean even more. She builds relationships with each child. She believes in them. And she gives parents like me hope — hope that our children can thrive, even after hard times. Teachers like Mrs. Coleman often go unnoticed, but I want her to know that her efforts have not gone unseen. She has changed my daughter’s life, and for that, I am forever grateful. 

The nomination highlighted the consistency, encouragement, and stability Coleman provides for her students…qualities that are especially meaningful for children navigating challenges outside the classroom. Mrs. Coleman was selected for creating “an environment of consistency and stability for students whose lives feel unpredictable outside of school.”

Anyone who has spent time in Mrs. Coleman’s classroom knows that description rings true. She creates a space where students feel supported, challenged and valued each day. Her commitment extends far beyond academics; she works every day to help students build confidence in themselves and their abilities.

Honored is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing exceptional educators and elevating the teaching profession. Each month, the organization selects one teacher from across the country whose impact on a student’s life demonstrates the profound difference great teachers make every day.

We are thrilled to one of our very own receive this well-deserved recognition. Congratulations, Mrs. Coleman, and thank you for the care, dedication and encouragement you bring to our students each day. Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom.

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Sometimes the most impactful moments begin with something small, and our first Tie Together Day was no exception.

Earlier this spring, our student support specialist, Mr. DJ, wore a tie to school. Second grader Isaiah loved his outfit and asked if he could have a tie of his own. Mr. DJ brought him an extra and from that day forward, he wore his new tie to school every day.

Wearing a tie made Isaiah feel cool and confident, and he wanted all his friends to have that same feeling, too! That idea became the inspiration behind our very first Tie Together Day.

With support from the Beta Sigma Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Zeta Gamma Lambda chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. every student received a special accessory of their own. Students chose from a selection of ties, scarves and jewelry and learned how to style them with help from our sorority and fraternity volunteers.

Volunteers spent time encouraging students and helping them pick accessories that matched their personalities. The room buzzed with excitement as students tried on different styles and showed off their new looks.

The event was about more than dressing up. It was about the feeling that comes when you look in the mirror and feel good about yourself. Confidence has a way of changing how children carry themselves and how they imagine what’s possible for their future.

What started with a simple request for a tie became a reminder that small gestures and a caring community can help kids see themselves in a whole new way.

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This year, our fifth graders took things to a new level by pitching the idea of creating a film together as one big production team. Some students stepped into acting roles while others edited weekly footage in Canva. The excitement and ownership around having access to technology in this way unlocked a lot of creativity for these older students, who are already thinking about future videos.

Every class closely follows a production calendar, which highlights the benchmarks they need to meet each week to finish their films. This helps our students work toward long-term goal setting and resource management.
The project may look messy from the outside (so many cardboard boxes!) but inside that creative energy, students are discovering new talents. Our art teacher summed it up well, “Learning often coexists with chaos, and the challenges that arise are actually what makes it so special,” she said.

Hope in action tends to look like joy, and there is a lot of joy in discovering what makes a film work! – Sarah Caputo, Art & Multimedia Coordinator

That joy could be felt throughout the festival. From sets and stop-motion props scattered across the art room to laughter echoing through the gym during the show. Behind every film was a student who learned how to bring a new idea to life from beginning to end.

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The school’s STEM teacher guides the lessons, giving students a safe space to learn.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Positive Tomorrows, an elementary school that specifically serves homeless children and their families in Oklahoma City. They also help homeless families with food, transportation, school supplies, medical care, and other necessities—absolutely free.

“I’ve had family that has experienced homelessness, and I know exactly what it looks like for me,” said Matt Vaugh, a volunteer with Positive Tomorrows, talking about why the Oklahoma City organization is so important to him.

Matt’s wife, Kaylea, had firsthand experience with the school when she was young and her family experienced some temporary homelessness, and remembers her time at Positive Tomorrows as a special experience.

“They gave me this backpack and it was full of crayons and a coloring book and toothbrush that looked way cooler than the one I already had,” remembers Kaylea. “And just all kinds of things that were mine, they belonged to me, I got to take them home with me, and that just felt very special.”

Her husband Matt agrees.

“Whenever I heard about Positive Tomorrows, and I heard about the gap they are really filling in our city, as it pertains to how they are serving the homeless community. I learned it looks really different from anything I thought it looked like. It’s not just they serve the students, they’re embracing this idea of serving the entire family. No matter what version of homelessness they are actually experiencing.”

And Matt says, since the majority of Positive Tomorrows’ funding comes from private donors and its mission is so critical for OKC, he thought the organization was a perfect fit for First Fidelity Bank’s Pay It Forward award and nominated the school.

After being presented the $400 prize from First Fidelity’s Zach Shirley, we surprised the school’s Director of Development, Sara Jacobson.

“Thank you so much, thanks you guys!” Sara said after accepting the money on behalf of the school.

Sara says her job is a labor of love.

“We’re 100% tuition-free for our families and kids who are experiencing homelessness. Just trying to make sure they have everything they need,” Sara told us. “So we’re restocking the classrooms to get the teachers ready and helping our family-support team to work with parents so they can have a fresh start, so they can have housing and all the support they need to make a really great life for their kids. It’s a great space to be in here, I really love it.”

Hugs all around for Sara and the mission they believe in to bring children a positive tomorrow.

See the full story on KFOR.

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We are sitting in the school’s library while the bright, Oklahoma City sun illuminates everything through the windows and glass walls. From my vantage point, I can look to my right out onto the playground, where, earlier in the day, an errant soccer ball ricocheted off the window and back into a crowd of smiling, running children. To my left, on the bookshelf, there is a votive candle beside an image, not of an ancient saint, but of Mr. Rogers.

“The best part about being here is celebrating joy. Big or small, it doesn’t matter, right?” Margaret continues. She then walks me through several joyous scenarios, snapshots of her life at Positive Tomorrows.

…the student who is sitting in her office, reading a book for the first time.

…the student who is thrilled they could finally climb to the top of the playground equipment.

…the student who scored a goal in soccer.

…the student whose mom got her driver’s license.

…the student who runs up to their case manager and asks, “Did we get that apartment?” The case manager replies, “Yes! We’re going to see it later. I’ll take you right after school, and we’ll meet your mom there!”

Merrie Smith never planned on homelessness. She had certainly tried everything else. Growing up in an abusive environment, she ran away from home when she turned eighteen. She eventually married and had two children, but her marriage proved to be a continuation of the abuse of her childhood.

Meanwhile, her youngest, John, was growing into an intelligent, energetic kid. Unfortunately, he did not know how to channel that energy. Merrie wasn’t the only family member experiencing domestic violence. Abuse isolated him. He struggled to relate to others and himself. Sometimes, he would grow so frustrated that he would hit his head against the wall.

Within her small circle, Merrie repeatedly reached out for help, but they either did not know how to help or, worse, they didn’t believe her. Once again, Merrie had to chart her own path, not just for herself this time but also for her children.

Merrie drew on a mindset she developed in childhood: Rather than wait for ideal scenarios, she would do the best she could with what she had. She did not know how things would turn out for them when they left. Would anyone be there to help? Regardless, anything had to be better than their current situation. She didn’t have much, but she would make the most of it. Merrie and her children took a leap of faith and left home.

Within days she discovered a network of organizations waiting to help, including the YWCA, where she connected with a counselor. Exhausted, Merrie explained one of her biggest unknowns: John’s schooling. She had homeschooled him for years, not by choice, and he desperately needed socialization and specialized care. The counselor gave her a single task for the day: Call Positive Tomorrows…

Read the full story on BitterSweet Monthly.

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The evening will also feature both silent and live auctions full of unique experiences, memorabilia, dining opportunities, and more. The event’s highlight is original artwork created by the students at Positive Tomorrows, Oklahoma’s only school designed for families experiencing homelessness.

Tickets are $75 and include unlimited food and drinks. Attendees must be 21 or older.

Tickets go on sale in February.

For more information, contact McKalyn Danner, mdanner@positivetomorrows.org.

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Before being gifted the tickets, he had never been to a professional basketball game.

“It was the best,” said 11-year-old Jay’ceon Williams. “I got to go to the Thunder game, be on the news, and have a party on my birthday.”

Williams is a student at Positive Tomorrows, a school that helps families transition out of homelessness.

Thunder Center, Isaiah Hartenstein, has spent time with the students at Positive Tomorrows through visits and field trips.

“He is really nice, fun, and tall,” said Williams.

Williams attended the game with his mother and brother after the family had done so well throughout the time at Positive Tomorrows.

“He’s one of the smartest kids I’ve seen in a while,” said Positive Tomorrows CEO Margaret Creighton. “His mom has accomplished so many goals for herself.”

Williams’ mom has housing for their family and recently graduated with her phlebotomy certificate.

Days after the big birthday celebration, Williams is still on cloud 9.

“Thank you to Isaiah,” said Williams. “He’s the GOAT (greatest of all time)!”

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Known at the school as “Mr. Isaiah,” Hartenstein has donated his time, resources, and encouragement to students since he arrived in Oklahoma City. The Thunder Center has hosted back-to-school events, movie outings, and pep rallies, all aimed at inspiring students to read, stay in school, and feel seen.

“That’s their hero,” said Margaret Creighton, CEO of Positive Tomorrows, said. “It’s somebody that they see on TV who is coming here and investing in them, which is really, really special to them, especially when he encourages them to read and to stay in school.”

Hartenstein’s foundation recently partnered with Oklahoma Shirt Company to design a custom Thunder-themed shirt, with proceeds benefiting the school. For each shirt sold, $12.50 is donated to Positive Tomorrows. The initiative was spearheaded by Hartenstein himself, not the school.

In addition to reading-focused activities, the Thunder player took students to see “The Wild Robot” movie after they completed the book, and even treated the school to a holiday screening of “The Grinch.”

With the Thunder heading into Game 3 of the NBA Finals Wednesday night in Indianapolis, Positive Tomorrows is “Thundering Up” in full force, thanks in large part to their friend and role model, Mr. Isaiah.

Shirts are available at Oklahoma Shirt Company’s website, with a portion of proceeds supporting the school.

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Thank you to Mr. Isaiah and Good Morning America for helping make this unforgettable experience happen for Lae’Liana and her son Jay’Ceon. Moments like this remind our kids and families just how much they’re seen, supported and believed in.

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