The Oklahoma Association of School Administrators (OASA) is pleased to announce Dr. Channa Byerly of Duncan Public Schools as the 2026 OASA District 15 Superintendent of the Year. Byerly will be recognized at the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA) Summer Leadership Conference on May 27-29, 2026.
“This honor reflects the very best of Oklahoma leadership - superintendents who lead with vision, navigate complexity, and remain deeply committed to the success of every student across our state,” said Dr. Pam Deering, CCOSA/OASA Executive Director. “This recognition highlights a superintendent whose leadership is grounded in service, strengthened through relationships, and driven by a deep commitment to their community. Dr. Channa Byerly exemplifies these values in action and is among the very best of Oklahoma leaders. We are proud to recognize this outstanding accomplishment and the meaningful difference they make for students, schools, and communities across Oklahoma.”
OASA has 20 Districts that consist of multiple counties. Eligible OASA members are nominated and selected by their peers in their OASA District.
A veteran educator of 20 years, Dr. Byerly has spent over a decade serving Duncan Public Schools as a Teacher, Administrator, and Superintendent. She is deeply rooted in the community alongside her husband, Matt, and their children, Cord and Keeton. Dr. Byerly's career is defined by her passion for relationship-building and her unwavering support for the success of every student and staff member.
“Being recognized by my peers in District 15—a group of truly outstanding leaders—is an honor. This award is a recognition of our entire staff and our amazing students. Serving Duncan Public Schools is an uncommon privilege; I love this school and the community we’ve built together. By encompassing every child, every day, we ensure that we all are a little bit better than we were yesterday. The greatest joy of this work is helping our students realize exactly what they are capable of achieving.” — Dr. Channa Byerly
ABOUT OASA
OASA supports adequate funding for Oklahoma public schools, supports accountability measures, rigorous and relevant academics, fair treatment of education employees, and seeks to reduce state intrusion in local board of education matters.
ABOUT CCOSA
The Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration is an incorporated, not for profit organization which establishes close and continuous communication and cooperation between educators, taxpayers and legislators to improve the effectiveness of professional school administrators and to communicate the needs of the schools. The Council is the umbrella organization for the following professional associations: the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators (OASA), the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals (OASSP), the Oklahoma Association of Elementary School Principals (OAESP), the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association (OMLEA), and the Oklahoma Directors of Special Services (ODSS).