Norman Teachers Becoming Mental Health Professionals Through OU Grant Program

A group of teachers in rural Norman wants to bridge the mental health gap in Oklahoma schools. These women plan to embrace the unknown to make a difference. 

School may be out for the summer, but the planning for the next school year is on the minds of teachers at Robin Hill Public School.   

“It’s just really special,” said Audrey Biswell, who teaches kindergarten at Robin Hill.   

Robin Hill is a small rural school just outside of Norman, but it’s one big family.   

“You are a part of their journey,” said Aryan Azizian, who teaches third grade at Robin Hill. 

That’s why Azizian has taught at Robin Hill for 23 years.  

“Long time. I love it,” Azizian said. 

However, something weighs on Azizian’s mind.   

“Some days I feel sad with the kids and the troubles that they have because maybe I don’t have all the answers,” Azizian said. 

Answers to countless questions surrounding students’ well-being. Superintendent Melissa Baughman has always wished they could do more.  

“We do need another special ed teacher,” Baughman said. “We can’t afford it.”

There is a need for more mental health professionals in Oklahoma education.

“We have school districts without counselors, without access to school psychologists,” said Dr. Brittany Hott, an associate professor of special education at OU. 

News 9 spoke to OU Hott in February. Her department received a $5.6 million grant to train teachers how to become mental health professionals.  

“Yeah, it’s a passion, it's a mission,” Baughman said. 

These women will be able to teach while they learn. 

Kindergarten teacher Audrey Biswell accepts the challenge.  

“Makes us hopeful for the future,” Biswell said. 

Melissa knows every question has an answer when knowledge is available.   

“My hope is we can spread it across Oklahoma,” Baughman said. “With that, I mean, that changes everything.”  

These educators want to practice what they preach in front of the students they love.  

“I really think it’s gonna change education,” Baughman said. 

Over the next five years, this grant will help OU train 64 future mental health professionals who already serve in rural schools.