Herzog Foundation Names ORU Graduate Emily Zybach 2025 Christian Teacher of the Year

Herzog Foundation President, Darrell Jones [to left], presents ORU Graduate Emily Zybach [to right] with the Herzog Foundation 2025 Christian Teacher of the Year award

Tulsa, Oklahoma, November 24, 2025—Oral Roberts University (ORU) education graduate Emily Zybach has been named one of the 2025 Christian Teachers of the Year by the Herzog Foundation, a national organization committed to advancing excellence in Christ-centered K–12 education. Emily, who teaches 11th-grade Social Studies at Lincoln Christian School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was selected as one of only 12 educators nationwide to receive this honor. Each recipient demonstrated exceptional dedication to integrating faith and learning while shaping students to think critically and live purposefully in a complex world.

“I am extremely proud to celebrate Emily’s outstanding achievement,” said Dr. Kim Boyd, Dean of the ORU College of Education. “This is a prestigious honor earned by very few educators, and it comes as no surprise to us that Emily was selected. Emily truly embodies the College of Education’s theme: ‘Transformed Educator, Transforming Society—The Miracle Ahead, A Transformed Generation.’ She understands that teaching is not just a profession but a calling—one that empowers her to influence and inspire the next generation.”

The Christian Teacher of the Year Award is part of the Herzog Foundation’s Excellence in Christian Education series. This annual recognition honors teachers who exemplify spiritual dedication, academic innovation, and transformative influence in their schools and communities. As part of the award, each honoree was invited to Washington, D.C. for a special weekend of professional development and public recognition.

“Receiving this award is such an honor!” said Emily. “To be nominated by my peers and then selected from over 800 nominees is very humbling. I have the privilege every day to impart knowledge but also to instill godliness and build up students to live in the character and values God has called them to through His Word. To lead the next generation in His calling on their lives is not only fun but also an honor and something to be treated with reverence and intentionality. The Herzog Foundation does an excellent job building up Christian educators and honoring all the work that is done to build up Christian students.”

Emily’s recognition reflects the lasting impact of ORU’s College of Education, where future teachers are trained to integrate faith, learning, and leadership in every classroom. The College offers nationally accredited undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs that prepare educators for success in public, private, and Christian schools worldwide. Through hands-on partnerships, mentoring, and Spirit-empowered instruction, students gain the skills to make an immediate impact.

“In the College of Education,” said Dr. Boyd, “we are dedicated to preparing Spirit-empowered educators who are ready from day one to make a meaningful difference in their classrooms and communities. Our graduates not only master their subject areas and the art and science of teaching, they also learn to discern and follow the voice of the Holy Spirit, who guides them in every decision that impacts student learning. This spiritual sensitivity and professional excellence are what set our educators apart.”

To learn more about ORU’s College of Education degree programs, please visit oru.edu/academics/coe.

Nationally Ranked, Globally Recognized

ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 17 years of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor’s level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. In 2024, the Carnegie Foundation recognized ORU with a “Leadership for Public Purpose” award, a distinction earned by only 25 universities nationwide. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 174 nations in the last 6 years to be whole leaders for the whole world.

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