Bob and Charlinda Ogle
Cordell Schools has a wide range of faculty ranging from veteran teachers who have spent decades there all the way to new faces coming in such as a new cook ready to serve the kids.
Regardless of how long they have been there, we believe each of the faculty members at Cordell is worth spotlighting, and this week we’ve chosen to spotlight a pair of teachers who have been at Cordell Schools for quite some time.
Bob and Charlinda Ogle, one of Cordell’s social studies and special education teachers respectively, have both been teaching for more than 30 years.
The pair share a love for everything Cordell Schools has to offer, and we got the chance to sit down and talk with them about their love for their work and Cordell’s students, as well as their history in teaching.
We’re about two weeks into the school year, how has it been so far?
Bob: It’s been difficult. We’re short teachers and stuff, but we’re adjusting. The students seem to be adjusting real well, and we’re going right along. We got our first football game in! Things are going.
Charlinda: Well, on our end, it’s always challenging because our young kids come in and they’ve only been at home, so they have to come in and they have to learn routines and they have to learn that they’re in school now.
They’re in organized activities rather than just doing what they want to. So the first few weeks, on our end is a little challenging.
With the COVID and being out of school some that also has an effect on our beginning.
Looking ahead to this year, is there anything in particular that you guys are looking forward to this school year?
B: You know, just watching the kids do better and learn. And from a personal note, watching our son play sports and having a good year.
C: And our granddaughter, then we have a grandson in the band. So even our personal kids, we have different things to look forward to.
But also, I always look forward to watching the kids develop and grow. On my end you see a lot more developments and you can see, and a lot of the other grades.
So what got you guys to want to become teachers in the first place?
C: I believe that every child can learn, and I believe that every child has a purpose. Every person on this earth has a gift and every person on this earth has a handicap.
So you just need someone that cares enough to help develop that gift. Sometimes it takes longer than it does others, and sometimes maybe you have to do it a different way.
I’ve always wanted to be a teacher and I’ve been at Cordell for 39 years. We have a lot of fantastic kids in this town. We have graduated a lot of outstanding
We have a lot of fantastic kids in this town. We have graduated a lot of outstanding young people. They have gone on in life and they’re successful in life.
And the fun part about now is they’re coming back, and I’m getting to see their children. I get to see that they are successful parents also.
I got to what I wanted to do.
B: She said it best. It really is a pretty gratifying job.
What’s your favorite part about your job?
B: My favorite part is interacting with the kids. Getting to see them and getting to see them thrive. Just showing them that there’s just so much more out there and being able to share that with them.
C: Everybody always says that the teacher touches the child’s life and we do, but the child also touches our lives.
Sometimes they’re just amazing, and even getting to know the parents. They all make a big difference in our lives.
B: And like she said, when you see them as adults, and they’re doing so well, and they’re successful, and you know that you played a part in it? That’s pretty satisfying.
C: Also getting to support them. We’re very involved. I’m proud of our school. I’m proud of our teachers. I’m proud of our kids.
You know? The Blue Devils? That’s my team. I’m not an OU fan or anything like that. Blue Devils are my team.
Just getting to see [student’s] talents. Sometimes they’re just really amazing if you just give them the chance to do what their thing is.
We enjoy that. That’s our pastime.
Just the other day I saw you putting up those signs on the windows outside. So what is it that makes you two want to be so involved with Cordell Schools?
C: Well, we have a lot of traditions in Cordell, but our kids deserve that support. They deserve to be supported. They deserve to have the rewards.
Just putting up a paper sign on that window out there, it could make a difference in someone’s life.
One person believing in someone can make a difference in a child’s life. Like I said, they’re ours, and I’m proud of them.
B: The kids know when you support them. They know when you’re there for them and when you’re not.
C: And they know when you really care. You can fake a lot of things and you can fake it with adults, but you can’t fake it with a child.
That child knows if you care and if you’re truly supporting them.
So I think it’s become very clear in talking with you two, but what is it exactly that motivates you guys to continue teaching?
C: I enjoy my job. I don’t enjoy it every day, but I enjoy what I do. I enjoy working with the kids.
I just feel like there has to be someone who pushes them and helps them to develop as much as they can.
B: It’s a very special job. There’s not a whole lot of jobs where you can show up and they can’t wait to see you.
C: And you know, everybody talks about the money and this and that, but whenever you get that one child who doesn’t let anybody in and then finally they do, you win.
They change my life as much as I change theirs.
Looking back on your time, has there been any notable moments during your time teaching? Is there anything that sticks out in particular, or is there too many to pick from?
B: I think you said it. There’s just too many. There’s so many highlights during a year. So many good things. So many positive things. It’s just hard to put your finger on any one thing. They’re a special bunch.
C: But we get to help these kids celebrate their graduation. I have to cry every year, cause I’m like, “oh my gosh, I really don’t want them to go.”
They have accomplished so much to get to walk across the stage, and each and every one of them have overcome something or accomplished great things.To get to watch them go into life, some will go to college, some won’t, it doesn’t matter. They’re still successful in our society. There’s too many moments to pick from, but we’re awfully proud of all the students.
So what does Cordell Schools mean to you?
B: Cordell is a special place. You got special kids that just do great things in life. You got good parents. We’ve got a great school system. There’s just so many positives.
Cordell’s just always been a special place. When our daughter was born, we had talked about moving back to Arizona, but we wanted her in school here.
C: We wanted her raised in our community. Whenever you drive around, or if you travel, you can go through all these different communities, but there’s just not one like this. We just have a great community all around and I’m proud of our school. I think we have some of the best teachers in the state of Oklahoma, and I think we have some of the best students in the state of Oklahoma.It’s just a great place to be.
When you’re not teaching, what is it you guys like to spend your time doing?
C: We’re at the concession stand at night, we go to all the ball games, as we possibly can. We go to the softball games, the football games, basketball games, we’re there.
B: Whatever’s going on, we’re there. We support it.
C: But then, my parents still farm. So whenever we’re not doing school things we’re farming.
B: Might be a good place to mention your guineas. That’s her hobby.
C: I have many, many hobbies. I have a lot of hobbies, but right now, raising guineas is my new hobby. I’m not doing too good of it yet though so I’m working on it.