I was fortunate to have all three of my children attend TSAS. I’ve been told I laugh easily, especially at my husband’s jokes. I’m a curious person, so I read a lot and crave learning. I enjoy creative activities like coloring, doodling, and crafting with a variety of mediums. I’m also slightly obsessed with personal growth and personality quizzes.
The students of TSAS teach me so much. They are resilient, fun and incredibly innovative. I love keeping our TSAS systems running smoothly so everything is clear and simple.
Email: cdenton@tsas.org
Room: Main Office
Education Background:
- Bachelor of Arts in English from Southwest Baptist University
I’m a proud Texan that calls Tulsa home. I enjoy flea markets, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, 90s hip-hop, stand-up comedy, and mathematics.
I teach because I get to help youth actualize their power and position in dismantling an oppressive and dusty education system.
Email: rortiz@tsas.org
Room: 112 D
Education Background:
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Oklahoma State University
I have been in public schools in Tulsa my entire professional life. I first started teaching at East Central HS in 2008, then Clinton MS, and I joined TSAS in 2011 as an English teacher. In 2016, I started as the first middle school principal. This job is the supreme joy of my life. I love our school, our students, our families, and our teachers and staff deeply. In my spare time, I hang out with my wife Amanda and our two kids Adrian and David. I love soccer, food, Bright Eyes, crossword puzzles, riding my bike, making soup, TV, and relaxation.
I do the work I do because I draw strength and clarity from our students. I see all the answers for all of our problems in them and am filled with hope at their brilliance, senses of humor, and innate strength. I will be at TSAS for as long as they let me and I look forward to every twist and turn in the road as we wind our way toward self-actualization together.
Email: dhahn@tsas.org
Phone: 918-207-8997
Room: 302
Educational Background:
- Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Northeastern State University
- Master of Education in Educational Administration, Curriculum, and Supervision from the University of Oklahoma
- Doctorate of Education in Educational Administration and Policy Studies from the University of Oklahoma (in progress)
I’ve lived in Tulsa most of my life but I love to travel as much as I can. I also enjoy reading, watching/talking/writing about television and films, doing crossword puzzles, playing basketball, and walking with my dog (Puddy). My wife and I live near downtown Tulsa so you can frequently find us dining or wandering around there.
TSAS is a weird and wonderful place to work and I think it is doing something remarkable in education. It’s humane, it’s innovative, and it’s providing a space for personal growth (for all the stakeholders involved). My position allows me to see all the working parts of our school’s past, present, and future, and what I witness on a daily basis makes me so deeply grateful to be part of the process and to make it even better.
Email: dsharples@tsas.org
Room: 111 A
Education Background:
- Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and History from the University of Oklahoma
- Graduate coursework at University of St. Louis Missouri
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
Education Background:
- Associate of Arts in Fine Art from Tulsa Junior College
- Bachelor of Arts in English, Fine Art & Education from the University of Tulsa
- Masters of Education in School Administration from Northeastern State university
- Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies from Oklahoma State University
I started at TSAS in 2006 as a substitute barely three years older than my students. I was hired full-time the next year, teaching World Lit, Brit Lit, The Graphic Novel, YA Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Nonfiction, Mythology, AP Lang, and Computers I and II over the next ten years. Seeing a need to better serve our graduates, I created the College & Career Counselor position; then, seeing a further need, I began building our library. When I’m not at TSAS I’m working on my house, building drawing machines, knitting/crocheting, reading, or designing CNC projects.
I do this work because I believe that access to information is an essential right, and that nurturing the wisdom to use that information can bring about self-emancipation. Getting the right books into the hands of a curious student—or the right tools into the hands of a student with an idea—is all I want to do in this world.
Email: jstallings@tsas.org
Room: Collegiate Commons
Education Background:
- Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Rogers State University
- Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Oklahoma
I’m just a guy lucky enough to work with the best team in the city! #TeamTSAS. I am a Tulsa native and a descendent of Black Wall Street/Greenwood. I married a Chicago girl and together we parent a very energetic Siberian husky.
I first started in education as an elementary educator, and later I had the honor of advising the Mayor of Tulsa on education issues as a member of his administration. But the opportunity to lead TSAS is an honor unlike any other that I’ve ever had. I know that the students that we have in our building today are the world-changers of tomorrow. Don’t believe me? Just watch!
- Bachelor of Arts in Government from Oral Roberts University
- Master of Science in Educational Leadership Studies from Oklahoma State University
My wife and I have two rescue critters: one senior cat (Grandma Kitty) and a mischievous long-hair dachshund (Harvey). I have a particular affinity for music, gardening and mountain biking. I also “enjoy” meaningful toil and tinkering around the house. As a heads up, I’ve never been particularly good at light conversation.
I believe that education done right is liberating and it’s with that notion I embarked on this journey. There is no discipline more in need of challenging exclusive and often dehumanizing practices than in special education. At TSAS, it is my dream -our collective dream- to build an inclusive education program that embraces the unique needs of our students and prioritizes togetherness in the classroom. That’s the labor I’m set out to do and why I choose to continue this work.
Email: ctucker@tsas.org
Room: 104 E
Education Background:
- Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Oklahoma State University
- Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Oklahoma