Tulsa Public Schools
Redesigning Professional Learning Across a System
Tulsa Public Schools has partnered with Leading Educators since 2017 to build a robust professional learning system that is designed to support ongoing, system-wide improvements in ELA, math, and ECE instruction.
In 2022, we conducted a comprehensive, mixed-methods evaluation of the first four years that revealed significant achievement gap closure and increased retention of novice teachers despite the effects of the global pandemic.
About the Partnership
Partnership Goals
In 2017 Leading Educators (LE) and Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) embarked on a five-year partnership aimed at building a robust professional learning system that would support ongoing, system-wide improvements in ELA and Math instruction. The goals of the partnership were to:
- Set a vision of success for curricular implementation and aligned professional learning
- Design a system of professional learning around the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) and Eureka curricula
- Train and support teacher leaders to lead their colleagues in that learning system
- Work with principals to establish the necessary conditions for effective professional learning within their schools
- Build capacity in district staff to take over the design and implementation of the professional learning system
Through the approaches and actions listed above, the partners ultimately sought to improve students’ classroom experiences, their learning outcomes, as well as teacher retention at TPS. Accordingly, the focus and scope of work for each year of the partnership was designed to build sequentially toward achieving these three ultimate goals.
Our Reach
45 elementary schools
supported with weekly content cycles focused on K-3 foundational skills.
3851 students
supported with grade-appropriate, equitable instruction last year.
105 teacher leaders
developed and coached to facilitate dynamic, curriculum-aligned collaboration each week for peers.
67 school leaders
supported to strengthen the conditions for professional learning including the master schedule, access to standards-aligned curricula and assessments, and distributed leadership.
Learn More Through Stories, Blogs, & Podcasts
Changing instruction across an entire system is a complex, multi-faceted process. You can learn more about some of the moves Tulsa Public Schools took over the past 5 years in these selected resources on other parts of our site.
Learn on the Go!
Check out this in-depth, three-part audio essay series on Tulsa Public Schools’ journey. Education Resource Strategies, who collaborated on shifting people, time, and money to support professional learning examines teacher teaming strategies, school planning, and central office redesign from multiple vantage points.
Tulsa Team
Erin Davis
Cristle Moorer
Nicholas Cains
Ashley Hall
About Erin Davis
Before joining Leading Educators, Erin worked to support teachers and students in a variety of roles throughout her career, including as an instructional coach, a senior district leader, a school building leader, and an associate professor. She began her career in education as a third grade teacher in Tulsa, and remains dedicated to serving students in Oklahoma and beyond.
Erin is currently pursuing her PhD in Social Foundations of Education at Oklahoma State University. She holds an M.Ed in Educational Administration, Curriculum and Supervision from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University.
In addition to addressing inequities in education systems, Erin is also passionate about maternal health disparities after the premature birth and extended NICU stay of her daughter.
Erin Davis in the news
About Cristle Moorer
Before joining Leading Educators, Cristle worked as a Lead ELA and Social Studies Middle School Teacher at school in a rural community in Scott, Arkansas. Her very first lead teaching experience was at Celia Clinton Elementary School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Throughout her career as a teacher she has had the opportunity to develop and facilitate professional development for staff members and administration.
Cristle holds BA. in Studio Art with a Minor in Marketing from Florida State University, and a M.Ed from Arkansas State University. Cristle is a Florida girl through and through and nothing excites her more than a trip to the beach. During her free time you can find her creating in an array of mediums or just spending time in nature.
About Nicholas Cains
Previously, Nick coached 1st and 2nd year elementary teachers as a Manager of Teacher Leadership Development at Teach For America Greater Tulsa. His passion for supporting teachers came from his experience teaching 2nd grade in Tulsa Public Schools, coaching teachers at Summer Institutes, and facilitating content sessions for multiple grade levels.
Nick holds a Master’s Degree in Education Administration: Curriculum and Supervision from Oklahoma University-Tulsa. He also holds a BFA in Theater and a minor in Broadcast Journalism from Southern Methodist University. He lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his fiance and their lovable cats Harvey and Oscar. If you’re in Tulsa you can likely find Nick performing in local productions, enjoying the food or a beverage in Tulsa, Crossfitting, or enjoying a nice cup of freshly brewed coffee.
Nicholas Cains in the news
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Teaching While Black and Male
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Webinar: Virtual Teacher Support and PD with Google for Education
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Taking Coherence Across the Chasm
About Ashley Hall
Before joining Leading Educators, Ashley was an educator who was known for drastically turning around classroom environments and believing strongly in the JOY factor in her interactions with others. She also acted as a leader for other teachers through various leadership positions ranging from Leadership Cohort to a Grade Level Chair.
Ashley holds a B.A. in English Education from Northeastern State University. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma and spends her free time enjoying music and movies, hanging with her husband and chasing her toddler daughter through life.
