Tanner Lusher serves as the Social Studies Curriculum Specialist for the GEAR UP for MY SUCCESS grant at the University of Oklahoma’s K20 Center. He has worked in education for over six years as a social studies teacher within Oklahoma. He also mentored pre-service teachers from the University of Oklahoma, coached student athletes, and volunteered as a class sponsor during his time as a classroom teacher. A large part of Tanner’s role with the K20 Center is to coach, mentor, and support the social studies teachers who are working in the twenty-four rural school districts receiving services from the grant. Tanner is actively collaborating with teachers and his co-workers at the K20 Center to develop authentic learning experiences for students and teachers across Oklahoma. Additionally, he is designing and implementing professional development that helps teachers effectively utilize instructional strategies, learning theories, educational technology, as well as other resources in their schools. Tanner’s goal in his position with the K20 Center is to create positive change in Oklahoma’s public schools by equipping students and teachers with the knowledge and skills that they need to be successful in the classroom moving forward.