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My teaching career began in China in 1987. Three years later, at the American Academy in Istanbul, Turkey, I adopted my life’s motto: “I want to dance with the whole world!” Include everyone, exclude no one. I have been devoted to my partner in life for over 30 years, the last 20 of those in our little home on the river bend near downtown Tulsa.
My passion for teaching is deeply connected to helping students become better global citizens, equipped with the essential critical thinking tools needed to imagine and pursue their future with greater confidence.
Email: jdonaldson@tsas.org
Room: 112 B
Educational Background:
- Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Oral Roberts University
I am not an Oklahoma native: I grew up an hour outside of Washington, DC in a West Virginia tourist town catering the “city people,” but I have lived in Oklahoma for the past ten years, so I call Oklahoma (and Tulsa) home now.
I am an enthusiast of dogs, baseball, hockey, movies, music, and reading. I also have lots of hobbies. People often say that my hobby is collecting hobbies. For example, I collect vinyl and other “retro” media, in addition to comics and underground humor magazines, such as Mad and National Lampoon. I also like to play and study chess, bake, play disc golf, brew beer and soda, and play guitar and harmonica, while dabbling in banjo and mandolin.
I taught at the college level for ten years, but after working almost exclusively with high school students concurrently enrolled in college credit courses towards the end of my time as a professor, I realized that those were the students I wanted to work with every day. The college-preparatory-minded TSAS allows me to work with high school students and push their intellectual rigor—while still having fun!
Email: dhawkins@tsas.org
Room: 113 A
Pronouns: he/him
Educational Background:
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- Ph.D. in English (ABD), Oklahoma State University (pending)
- M.A. in English, Oklahoma State University May 2014
- B.S. in Mass Communication, Shepherd University
I used to live in Minnesota, and now I’m always hot. After leaving my home state, I moved to Missouri thinking I wanted to be a journalist. It only took me a few years of covering local school board meetings to realize that I couldn’t sit on the sidelines when it came to the challenges facing education. I moved to Tulsa and have fallen in love with the community of families, students, and educators I get to work alongside every day. High schoolers are my favorite people, and I absolutely love watching them grow into unique individuals and free thinkers ready to tackle the world.
Outside of school, I have been spending an exorbitant amount of time restoring a 1910 craftsman home with my girlfriend. It gives me an opportunity to learn new things, shop for vintage items, and spend endless hours on Pinterest looking for inspiration. I’m often cooking soup, eating soup, and sharing soup with the people I love. I love to travel, drink coffee, and find excuses to cancel plans and stay home with my dogs.
Email: eroiger@tsas.org
Room: 124
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Educational Background:
- Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Missouri
I’m a Colorado native who married his college sweetheart, with whom I have three kids. We live in Broken Arrow and I’m proud to call Oklahoma my home. My favorite author is Cormac McCarthy, my favorite band is Manchester Orchestra, and my favorite hobby is kettlebell sport.
Teaching is my calling. I am deeply gratified when I see a person learn something new. I especially take joy in seeing young people gain confidence in their communication skills. Reading and writing have been invaluable in my own life, and I want to help students to see them in the same way.
Email: srustin@tsas.org
Room: 115
Educational Background:
- Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, Evangel University
- Master of Arts in Biblical Exegesis, Wheaton College