Prevention Educators
Become a fan of Operation Aware on Facebook and learn more about our educators. Each week we feature one of our staff.

Brenda	Brenda joined the Operation Aware team in November of 2004.  Originally from Puerto Rico, Brenda earned her Bachelor of Arts degree and her Masters degree from Oral Roberts University. She has served in leadership positions for various youth organizations and ministries which has enabled her to mentor young people as well as organize, implement and oversee community service projects in schools, orphanages, and rehabilitation centers in the USA and abroad. One of her greatest desires is to help empower young people to reach their goals and dreams. Brenda enjoys music, sports, traveling, exercising, volunteering at her local church, and spending time with her family and friends.
Jackie	Jackie joined the Operation Aware team in August of 1998 as a Prevention Educator. She graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Finance and is a certified teacher.  She loves working with children of all ages and believes her work to be more than just a job. Her life’s mission is to equip children with the knowledge and skills they need to become successful adults who will one day lead our nation.  Outside of Operation Aware, Jackie has taught Sunday school, coached her daughter’s basketball team, volunteered as a reading tutor, and assisted with various PTA activities and events. Currently she helps lead youth group studies at church. In general, Jackie is always looking for opportunities to offer encouragement and hope to any child she comes in contact with. When not working, Jackie enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters. She also enjoys spending time with her mom, dad, sisters, nieces and nephews, reading, going to movies, learning, being outside, looking for four leaf clovers, and collecting pretty and unusual rocks.
Jeni	Jeni joined Operation Aware in August 2002. She has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tulsa with an emphasis in Deaf Education. Jeni spent 6 years with Jenny Craig Weight Loss Centers working with adults and adolescents.  Jeni and her husband have three children.
Kristin	Kristin joined the Operation Aware team in August 2004.  She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Broadcasting from Oklahoma State University and she is a certified teacher.  Her background includes working as a disc jockey at a Stillwater radio station and as a corporate trainer for Xerox Corporation.  Kristin is energized by teaching young people how and why to make positive life choices.  Her hope is for all her students to recognize their value and worth. Kristin loves dancing, fitness training, all types of music, and having good food with good friends!  Kristin loves to laugh and hopes that her ability to find humor even in life’s most challenging circumstances can encourage others to do the same.  Kristin is happiest when she is spending time with her husband and daughter!
Liz	Liz joined the Operation Aware team in the Spring of 2005.  She graduated from the Oral Roberts University School of Business.  One of her greatest passions is to see people fulfill their goals and dreams and accomplish what they were meant to do in this life.  She sees this passion in action as she teaches for Operation Aware and as she travels to many countries, in her time off, to help teach and instruct people in practical business or worship leadership.    Liz loves to read, travel, and spend quality time with her family and friends.
Mackenzie	Mackenzie joined the Operation Aware team in summer 2009. Mackenzie received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in both Communication and Sociology from the University of Oklahoma. Her background includes working as an income developer for a national health related non-profit and being a manager of several Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions offices and their staff and instructors. These positions allowed her to work with youth and discover her passion for helping kids make positive life choices and furthering their potential. Mackenzie enjoys cooking, painting, and interior design. She also loves to sing along with the radio and dance! Her favorite thing to do is have a great laugh with friends and family!
Mindy	Mindy joined the Operation Aware team in July 2007. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Oklahoma. Mindy’s lifelong passion has been working for the benefit of children and youth. She has been a classroom teacher for Tulsa Public Schools, as well as a school volunteer, including serving as Tulsa Council of PTA President. Her family includes a husband, two sons, a grandson and a grandaughter. In her spare time Mindy enjoys walking and hiking, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Pam	Pam joined Operation Aware in August 2001, as a Prevention Educator. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Letters. Pam teaches elementary through High School Operation Aware curricula, and has worked in the areas of program development and training. Pam has made helping young people her life's work.  Pam's hobbies include gardening, reading, dancing and showering her family with love.
Patrick	Patrick joined the Operation Aware team in December of 2009. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor of science in Health and Exercise Sciences. Following undergrad he attended Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center where he acquired a Masters of Public Health with a focus on Health Promotion Sciences. For the past year Patrick has worked as the coordinator of a tobacco use prevention program. Patrick and his wife enjoy watching movies, traveling and playing with their dogs.
Shelly	Shelly joined the Operation Aware team in August of 2006.  After graduating from Oral Roberts University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, she began working for Mercy Ministries of America where she served on staff for nearly 3 years.  While working at Mercy, she served as the Director of the Intake Department and was a counselor.  She also lived overseas and served on staff at Mercy Ministries of Australia for a year.  Shelly enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends, traveling, sports, and being outdoors.