Deborah A. Gist

Superintendent
gistde@tulsaschools.org

Joined Team Tulsa - July 2015 

I joined Team Tulsa because being a part of Tulsa Public Schools combines the things I love most—children, family, teachers, education, Tulsans, hard work, and opportunities to make a difference.

Experience: I have worked in public education for more than 30 years at the school, district, and state levels. I started my career as an elementary school teacher in Texas, designed and implemented a literacy program at 108 schools in Florida, and served as a senior policy analyst for the U.S. Department of Education. I was also the first state superintendent of education for the District of Columbia; overseeing early childhood, elementary, secondary, adult, and higher education. Before coming back home to Tulsa, I served as education commissioner for the State of Rhode Island.

Education: B.S. early childhood education, University of Oklahoma; M.A. elementary education and curriculum, University of South Florida; M.P.A., Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government; Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania 

Favorite Teacher:  I've had many wonderful teachers including Mrs. White at Carnegie Elementary, Mr. Wiley at Grimes Elementary, Mrs. Gaddis (now Representative Gaddis) from Memorial High School, Mrs. Ratliff and Mrs. Trotter at Nimitz Junior High School. 

Favorite place in Tulsa: Other than being in any classroom with teachers and students, I honestly love just being at home with family or together at Harvard Avenue Christian Church. I also adore our museums, parks, libraries and restaurants. Tulsa is so full of great things to do that it would be hard to choose just one!

Paula Shannon

Deputy Superintendent
shannpa@tulsaschools.org

Joined Team Tulsa - July 2015 

In doing research on Tulsa, it was clear that there was something special underway in the city—and that Tulsans care a great deal about education. Tulsa captured my heart, and I'm committed to leading alongside many dedicated educators and staff to ensure that each young Tulsan is able to realize their full potential.

Experience: My career in education started as a Teach for America corps member in Houston, TX. Over the last 20 years, I’ve worked for Providence Public Schools, Syracuse City School District, and Achievement First serving as a teacher, literacy coach, curriculum director, and chief academic officer. I came to Tulsa as the district’s chief of staff in 2015 and took on the role of deputy superintendent in 2016.

Education: B.A., University of Notre Dame; M.Ed., Lesley University; M.A., University of Rhode Island

Favorite Teacher: Christophe Kougniazonde at Notre Dame challenged my thinking early in my post-secondary career. As I became a teacher, I realized the gift that Christophe gave to me—a deep belief in the power of transformative relationships and the role that we can play in creating connectedness and helping young people make meaning of the world around them.

Favorite place in Tulsa: I'm less into places and more into experiences. A current favorite is mountain biking in Turkey Mountain followed by a coffee at Double Shot or Hodges Bend.

ANDREA CASTAÑEDA

CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER
castaan@tulsaschools.org 

Joined Team Tulsa - July 2017

Team Tulsa is a place where I believe I make a difference for schools and children and the City of Tulsa is a place that my family can call home. I believe that schools are, first and foremost, part of the fabric of a city; I wanted to join a school district that shares that belief.

Experience: I am fortunate to have spent my 15-year career in public education serving students, teachers, and families at the school, district, and state levels.

Education: B.A., Brown University; Ed.M., Harvard University

Leader for: Design and Innovation Lab

Favorite Teacher: My favorite teacher was Danny Duncan, my high school track coach. Danny expected more of us than we expected from ourselves, and we never wanted to disappoint him by failing to reach his high standards. 

Favorite place in Tulsa: Being new to Tulsa means constantly making new discoveries. Currently topping my list is Turkey Mountain (because it feels like I am on a hike but still in the city), Las Americas grocery store (because it feels like we are in Mexico) and the Boston Avenue Methodist Church (where I like to park and admire the deco details).

Jana Burk

General Counsel
burkja@tulsaschools.org

Joined Team Tulsa - Spring 2011

I wanted challenging work on a high-performing team that improves outcomes for children and families.

Experience: Prior to my current position, my most recent Tulsa Public Schools experience involved leading the design of our district strategic plan and co-developing our teacher evaluation system with the district's teachers. Before working at TPS, I spent many years as a school law attorney, and though I taught middle school for only a brief period of time, it is one of my career highlights.

Education: B.A., Plan I, at University of Texas, Austin; J.D. at University of Texas, Austin

Leader for: Legal

Favorite Teacher: My global economic geography teacher at UT Austin. He opened my world and changed my life course by introducing me to a field of study that connects economics, demography, culture, sociology, environment and location.

Favorite place in Tulsa: The renovated Tulsa City/County Library - it's beautiful, it's a place for everyone, and the possibilities are endless.

Joe Jennings

Interim Chief Information and Analytics Officer
jennijo@tulsaschools.org

Joined Team Tulsa - 1991

I joined team Tulsa right after my education at NSU. My first job was as a budget accountant and was hired by Tulsa Public Schools and longtime Union CFO Debbie Jacoby. Talk about having a great first boss.

Education: B.S., Oklahoma State University; M.B.A., Northeastern State University.

Leader for: Data, analytics, and IT

Favorite Teacher: Memorial High School history teacher Mr. Travis Henderson, hands down. I remember he always referred to us as scholars and told us those who failed to learn the lessons of history were doomed to repeat them, or some variation. His approach to history was hands on and we had to team build and present our projects in class. Think STEM in the early 80s! Interesting turn of events, I was fortunate enough to be able to support his career throughout my various roles within the district.

Favorite place in Tulsa: As a lifelong Tulsan, except 4 years in Stillwater, there is a special place in my heart for Bell's Amusement Park. Now that Tulsa has so many awesome places that families can go explore and enjoy, it is hard to choose. However, right now it is the backyard, grilling with family and friends and trying to keep up with the grandkids. 

DEVIN FLETCHER

CHIEF talent and equity OFFICER
fletcde@tulsaschools.org

Joined Team Tulsa - August 2016

Experience: I served as lead on curriculum and instruction, academic strategic planning, and standards adoption and implementation at Denver Public Schoos. I also worked in Detroit as managing director at New Urban Learning overseeing all agency operations.

Education: B.A. and M.B.A., University of Texas, Austin; M.Ed., The Broad Center 

Leader for: Talent Management team -- building strong talent recruitment, retention, and development strategies responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.

Favorite place in Tulsa: I love people-watching in Brookside, especially from the patio at Cosmo Cafe!

Dr. Ebony Johnson

Interim Chief Learning Officer
johnseb@tulsaschools.org

Joined Team Tulsa - October 2005

Experience: Dr. Johnson recently served as our executive director of student and family support services, and has served as a teacher, teacher coach, dean/assistant principal, and principal in her 20-year career in public education. Her time in Tulsa Public Schools includes serving as school leader at Academy Central Elementary School, McLain High School, and Central High School.

Education: Dr. Johnson is a proud McLain graduate and holds a BA and an MA in Education from Northeastern State University and an Ed.D. from the University of Oklahoma.

Leader for: Teaching and learning, educator effectiveness, professional learning, personalized learning, language and cultural services, exceptional student services.

Jorge Robles

Chief Finance and operations officer
roblejo@tulsaschools.org

Joined Team Tulsa - May 2018

I joined Team Tulsa for the opportunity to work with an amazing team of talented and committed professionals on realizing a vision of providing a positive, safe, healthy and engaging daily educational experience for every student, for every educator and for our community in the city of Tulsa.

Experience: I join Tulsa Public Schools after five years in Denver Public Schools where I led the district’s English language acquisition department and the bilingual and newcomer programs serving approximately 38,000 students whose native language was not English. Before moving into public education, I spent 15 years in the private sector working in financial services, marketing and business development.

Education: Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (Agriculture Engineering), M.B.A., University of Texas, Austin; M.Ed., The Broad Center

Favorite Teacher: My American history teacher Dr. Morrison in high school taught me the value of learning history to understand the present and shape the future.

Favorite place in Tulsa: Riverparks trail and the Midland Valley trail. I also really like the lakes around Tulsa.