The former co-chair of the Oklahoma State Senate’s education committee is returning to the classroom.

State Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson — who is being forced to leave office due to term limits — announced last week she has accepted a position as a Title I elementary teacher in the Western Heights School District.

“I am thrilled to be back in the classroom where I first began,” Wilcoxson said in a media release. “Excellence in education is the key to a successful future for not only our children, but for our entire state.”

Wilcoxson, a former Oklahoma City Teacher of the Year, holds a doctor of education degree in curriculum and instruction. 

She served as co-chair of the senate appropriations subcommittee on education last year. 

“My experiences as an educator led me to public office where I fought for education reforms to improve student achievements in math, reading and science and to help more children complete high school,” she said. “In turn, that experience has led me back to the classroom. I’ve come full-circle with new perspectives and a passion to make a difference through teaching.”

Last Thursday, Wilcoxson’s announcement was praised by state OEA President Roy Bishop.

“I wish her well,” Bishop said. “She was a quality teacher before she was a legislator, so I’m not surprised that she went back. Sometimes when teachers leave the classroom, they realize their heart is really with the children. It never surprises me that they make their way back to the classroom.”

Bishop also made Wilcoxson an offer.

“When she gets back in the classroom, we’ll offer her an OEA membership,” he said.