![Kara Donnini named Hale MS Teacher of the Year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770243789/tulsaschoolsorg/k6uzvbntg4dn5y3abvhj/KaraDonnini.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770243789/tulsaschoolsorg/k6uzvbntg4dn5y3abvhj/KaraDonnini.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770243789/tulsaschoolsorg/k6uzvbntg4dn5y3abvhj/KaraDonnini.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1770243789/tulsaschoolsorg/k6uzvbntg4dn5y3abvhj/KaraDonnini.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1770243789/tulsaschoolsorg/k6uzvbntg4dn5y3abvhj/KaraDonnini.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1770243789/tulsaschoolsorg/k6uzvbntg4dn5y3abvhj/KaraDonnini.jpg","width":2200}])
Kara Donnini is the 2025-2026 Hale Middle School Teacher of the Year!
Kara joined Team Tulsa in 2022 and has worked at Hale for three years. She currently teaches 8th grade history and serves as the department lead. We asked Kara a few questions to learn more about her and her time in Tulsa Public Schools.
What led you to a career in education?
Through years of working with youth in and outside the church, I realized I was working with teenagers who already had a support system at home. I was called into teaching so I could impact all teens, especially those without strong support systems, and meet both their academic and emotional needs.
What is your favorite thing about your work?
My favorite thing about my work is building relationships with students. When students feel seen, valued, and safe, they are more willing to engage, take academic risks, and grow both personally and academically. Those connections allow me to make a lasting impact that goes far beyond the content I teach.
What is one thing you are passionate about outside of teaching?
I am very active in the church I helped to start in 2018. I am the children and youth director, direct and edit church videos, teach crochet classes to youth and adults, and actively involved in the women's ministry. I enjoy walking with individuals as they strengthen their relationship with Christ.
Is the anything else you would like to share?
Becoming Teacher of the Year for Nathan Hale Middle School is such an honor, but it is not something that I accomplished on my own. Over the last three years I have surrounded myself with colleagues who have become great friends. We support each other professionally and personally. In moments of weakness, we lift each other up, and in moments of success, we celebrate together. When we identify an idea, we want to implement in the classroom, we intentionally examine the strengths, challenges, and potential pitfalls to refine it and make it as effective as possible. My administration has provided me with opportunities that play to my strengths which have helped me to grow into a better leader.