RENTIESVILLE – Longtime educator and local political figure Mildred Hemphill-Burkhalter will be inducted into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame, Inc. (OAAE HOF) on Friday, Sept. 27.
The ceremony will take place in the Grand Casino Ballroom in Shawnee beginning at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m.
Burkhalter, who spent 41 years in education before retiring in 2021, is one of 10 inductees for the evening, representing educators across the state of Oklahoma who have served at least five years in education in the state.
This the thirteenth year for the induction ceremony, previously held at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. For more information for tickets, please visit website http://www. oaaehof.org. Burkhalter was born on Dec. 21, 1954, in Pierce to Alton “Jimbo” and Pauline Greenleaf Hemphill.
She attended Warrior Schools until the fourth grade when her family moved to Rentiesville in 1965.
She then attended Rentiesville Schools until 1969 when that school closed and consolidated with Checotah Public Schools. She graduated from Checotah in 1973 and married her high school sweetheart, Clyde Burkhalter. They raised their family in Rentiesville.
Burkhalter was the first in her family to attend college, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management with a minor in Accounting from Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.
She received two Master of Arts degrees, one in Educational Technology and one in Educational Leadership, from East Central University, Ada. In 1980, Burkhalter began her career in education as the financial accounting and payroll manager for Checotah Public Schools. She was assigned classroom responsibilities in 1995 to provide the instruction of academics to students through Online Learning for fulfillment of high school graduation requirements and academic recovery and as Alternative Education Director.
She retired after forty- one years of service in 2021, with twenty-six of those years being devoted to the classroom and supervision.
During her tenure as a classroom teacher, more than 1,400 students passed through her classroom doors. Her assignment was to teach students with varied personal issues, lack of credits for graduation, trust issues and lack of self-confidence.
As a result of her creative and unique teaching strategies, students began to demonstrate academic progress.
Students who were previously failing were becoming successful learners. She instilled in her students that education is the key to success; her goal was to make sure every student succeeded in some area and became productive citizens in society. She was voted by her colleagues as Teacher of the Year at Checotah High School in 2018-19.
Burkhalter’s professional affiliations include: Checotah Education Association, Oklahoma Education Association, National Education Association and the McIntosh County Retired Education Association.
She has served as a board member for Heartland Heritage Museum, Oklahoma Alternative Education Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Friends of Honey Springs.
Burkhalter presently serves as Chairperson for the Checotah Creek Indian Community with over 300 members. Under her leadership, it has grown to a million dollars in assets.
In 1991, the citizens of Rentiesville elected Burkhalter their first woman mayor. Since that historic election, the town has been awarded several grants for street work, street signs, a park pavilion, playground equipment, basketball court, a senior nutrition program and construction of rental cottages for the town of Rentiesville, as well as a grant awarded for the installation of warning sirens.
Burkhalter has served on numerous state and national boards including National Conference of Black Mayors, Oklahoma Conference of Black Mayors, Black Mayors Women Caucus, Optimist Club, Warrior Restoration Organizations and was appointed by Governor Brad Henry to the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Corridor Advisory Committee. Additional accolades include LEGACYKEEPERSRUS Award of Recognitions and Accomplishments, Federated Women’s Club – Leadership Award, Kansas Colored Infantry – Leadership/ Recognition Award, Wal-Mart Hometown Leadership Award $5,000, and Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Women of Distinction Award.”
The Rentiesville First Baptist Church is at the heart of Burkhalter’s commitment. She serves as an Usher Board President, Church Clerk, Asst. Sunday School Superintendent and choir member. She has also served as 2nd Vice President for the Usher Board of the Collate District.
Mayor Mildred Burkhalter resides in Rentiesville.
She is the proud mother of Frederick and Franchelle, and grandmother of one granddaughter and five grandsons.
She enjoys serving God and her church, spending time with family and friends, and providing dedicated service to her community. When time permits, she enjoys writing, flea marketing, gardening, garage sales, interior decorating, sewing/designing and crafting.
One of Burkhalter’s colleague stated, “Her leadership, vision, and tireless commitment to fostering inclusivity and academic excellence has left a lasting mark on Checotah High School and the community.”
