About Us

My academic career with Tulsa Public Schools began at Eli Whitney Middle School (now Hale Junior High School) where I was a seventh grade classroom science teacher for seven years. Since that humble beginning, I have served Tulsa Public Schools in several capacities including: dean of students (middle school), principal intern (middle and high school), and assistant principal (high school).

After serving as the principal of George Washington Carver Middle School for two consecutive years, I took a sabbatical from the district to teach undergraduate science courses in biological science, human anatomy, and zoology at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Following my year-long sabbatical, I returned George Washington Carver Middle School where I remained principal for an additional six years. In 2017, I began serving as the principal of my alma mater and the pride of the great southwest, Booker T. Washington High School.

I hold a bachelor of science degree in biological science/chemistry from Kentucky State University, a master of science degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in secondary science education from Oklahoma State University; and a doctorate in environmental science from Oklahoma State University. Prior to my career in education, I served as a virology laboratory technician for the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory which is located on the Oklahoma State University Campus in Stillwater, Oklahoma. I also worked as a entomology laboratory technician, a police forensics department laboratory technician, and a forestry technician, where I had the opportunity to train with the "Hot Shot" forest fire-fighters. 

Science is my passion, education is my mission.

I have been working for TPS and at Booker T. Washington High School since 1994.  I taught biology for 18 years and have served as the IB Diploma Program Coordinator since 2000.  In 2012, I moved into my current role as Assistant Principal.  My current responsibilities include IB Diploma Program, district/state/IB testing, Special Services, admissions/recruitment, master calendar, master scheduling, and supervision of staff and students. 

While not a graduate of Booker T., I have received a tremendous education from its students, staff, and community.  I am proud to be a Hornet! 

I grew up in Oklahoma and attended The University of Oklahoma for my undergraduate degrees in History and Journalism, and OU Tulsa for my M.Ed.  My wife Mariann and I got married in 2016.

I have been working in TPS since 2007.  I was a classroom teacher for four years at Gilcrease Middle School, one year at Mclain Jr. High, and four years at Phoenix Rising.  I also worked at Central High School before becoming assistant principal at Booker T.

I am so proud to be a Hornet!

I have been part of the Tulsa Public Schools team since 2000, including 13 years teaching 7th grade language arts, geography and Read 180 at Thoreau Demonstration Academy. I also served as the school's athletic director, language arts department chair, site improvement plan coordinator, and building test coordinator. I have been an assistant principal since 2013, working at Salk and Tulsa MET before coming to Booker T. Washington in 2018.

I have my undergraduate degree in history and secondary education from The University of Tulsa and hold masters degrees in education administration and as a reading specialist from Northeastern State University.

My special affinity for Booker T. began when I was ten years old. I had just moved here from a small town in Kansas. I came to my first ever basketball game and had the privilege of watching Wayman Tisdale play. From that point, both Booker T. and basketball have occupied a very special place for me, and I am proud to be a Hornet!

The original Booker T. Washington High School was a four-room building located at 507 E. Easton St. built in 1913. E. W. Woods was the first principal, serving a modest student population 14 students and two teachers. With a growing Tulsa population, the building on E. Easton St. became inadequate; prompting the construction of a larger three-story building at the same location. Escaping the destruction of the Tulsa Race Massacre, this school served African-American students from 1920 until a third Booker T. Washington High School was erected at 1631 E. Woodrow Pl., in 1950. The first graduating class from this building was the mighty class of 1961. 

For sixty years, Booker T. Washington High School served the African-American community of North Tulsa. However, in 1973, responding to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Tulsa Public Schools chose Booker T. Washington to be a model for their school desegregation program. The district began to bus in white students while continuing to allow students who lived near the school to attend as well. This changed Booker T. from a neighborhood to a magnet school as it is known today.

For the school's 90th anniversary, a fourth Booker T. Washington school was built and dedicated in 2003. The current Booker T. Washington High School retained the front section of the old school for its historical significance and is located at 1514 E. Zion St. 

Distinguished Alumni

Booker T. has a rich history of excellence in academics, athletics and community service.  This is noted in the vast number of distinguished alumni.  The number of alumni who have excelled throughout the schools rich history prevents us from listing them all.  However, many of them have been inducted into the Booker T. Washington Distinguished Hall of Fame.

By C.B. Neely
BTWHS Vocal Music Instructor 1918-1960

Dear Booker T. Washington High School
The pride of the great south west
You’re a symbol of light for many a youth
By pointing the way to life’s best.
You stand as a beacon in Tulsa,
By teaching the ideals of truth
You inspire us with all that is worthy
And gird us for life’s greatest test.

Chorus

O God help us ever grow stalwart
In body, in soul, and in mind
That the light of dear Booker T. High School
May grow brighter and always shine.

Student Creed

I believe in honest work, in generous
Comradeship, in the courage of high
Convictions. I believe in the inspiration
That come from contact with all that is
Truest and best, in books, in people, in life.
I believe in loyalty to our high school, The
fostering mother of these ideals, and I
pledge her my allegiance in
all her under takings,
In all that will make her a stronger and nobler school.

Hornet Victory

Hornet, oh Hornets, we love you so Hornets, oh Hornets, we love you so-o-o-o Fight for your school boys, fight for your school
Fight for O’ Booker T.
Fight for O’ Booker T.
Fight for O’ Booker T.
H-O-R-N-E-T-S
H-O-R-N-E-T-S