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My name is Tara Schiffelbein, but I go by Mrs. Tara because a student once told me that my last name scared him. I live with my husband, Jared, and our two fur babies, Bubba and Gertie. When we aren’t working on renovating our almost 4 acre property or trying to get my ’71 Volkswagen Squareback up and running, we enjoy watching movies, attending live music, and eating authentic meals from various cultures.
I teach to help others discover their own personal strengths and joy. I teach for the smiles and for those “aha” moments that are so powerful, especially for struggling learners. I teach so I continuously have the opportunity to learn from fellow teachers and students. I am humbled by the integrity, creativity, and passion I see every day here at TSAS and am so honored to be a facilitator of learning at the greatest school ever!
Email: tschiffelbein@tsas.org
Room: 112 C
Pronouns: She/Her
Educational Background:
- MA in Teaching English as a Second Language – Oklahoma City University
- BA in Speech Communication Consultancy and Spanish – Oklahoma State University
Though I was born far away in California, I am proud to be an Oklahoman who has lived for 4 decades in Tulsa. I have invested more than 20 years as a career educator and am grateful for the ways I have been transformed by my years at TSAS, and that my four children had the privilege of graduating from TSAS as well. I love learning and spend as much time as I can reading books, writing, practicing artistic pursuits, cooking, and enjoying nature. I think that good conversations, time with family and friends, coffee, and dogs bring beauty to the mess of life.
I am honored to be a school leader at TSAS because it is a learning community focused on the human experience of teaching and learning. It is a school concerned about the whole person and committed to nurturing the potential and growth of each individual student. The teachers at TSAS care about each student’s academic achievement as well as their human journey. On an almost daily basis I am awed by our relational environment and the ways it supports and encourages both students and the faculty. Our school community is made up of people who care deeply about intellectual pursuits, creativity, innovation and humanity.There’s no place like TSAS and I am honored to contribute to this special school.
Email: lsmith@tsas.org
Room: 201
Educational Background:
- Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies from Oklahoma State University
- Masters of Education in School Administration from Northeastern State university
- Bachelor of Arts in English, Fine Art & Education from the University of Tulsa
- Associate of Arts in Fine Art from Tulsa Junior College
I love politics, philosophy, poetry, and my cats (Dionysus and Descartes). I have had the privilege of mentoring young debaters and actors for 10 years. I’ve been professionally associated with the Harvard National Invitational Forensics Tournament and OSSAA Speech and Debate. I’m a theatre nerd who has worked in stage production and costuming since 2017. I’m a writer with a special interest in journalism and research; I’ve been published by three newspapers, showcased in two symposia, and awarded for my radio and social media work.
I yearn to be where I’m most needed and to make positive impacts. Communication is our greatest asset. Speech and Debate empowers young people with tools of self expression so that they can advocate for themselves and each other. It empowers them by exposing them to real world issues in political, economic, and philosophical terms and requiring them to see such issues in shades of gray rather than black and white. And it empowers them through the transformative power of performance, which inspires self confidence, mindfulness, and empathy.
Email: rspindle@tsas.org
Room: 207 B
Educational Background:
- BA in Professional Media with specialization in Philosophy from the University of Central Oklahoma