Hobson Appoints Norman Chamber of Commerce Executive To Teacher Preparation Commission

(OKLAHOMA CITY) Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson has appointed Anna-Mary Suggs, executive director of the Norman Chamber of Commerce, to the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation.

“Ms. Suggs has always been a strong advocate of education and will be a positive addition to the commission. I am confident she will work hard to ensure that we have competent and qualified teachers in every classroom,” said Hobson, D-Lexington.

Before taking over as head of the Norman Chamber of Commerce, Suggs was a partner in a local accounting firm. She is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor of arts in theatre arts from Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass.

Suggs is a president of the University Club and is a member of the Michael F. Price College of Business Board of Advisors. Additionally, she is a member of the Norman Economic Development Coalition, the Cleveland County Workforce Development Board, and the Norman Rotary Club.

The Oklahoma Teacher Preparation Commission is charged with creating a competency-based teacher preparation system. In order to carry out its legislative charge, the agency assumes three primary responsibilities: the accreditation of teacher preparation programs, the assessment of teacher candidates, and the ongoing growth and development of classroom teachers across the State.

“Anna-Mary’s work with the business community will benefit the commission’s goal of making sure our teachers are properly educated and prepared to create a highly educated workforce in our state,” Hobson said.

Suggs replaces Terry Almon, who resigned from the Commission. She will fill out the remaining three years of Almon’s four-year term.