Tahlequah ROAR Academy

09/03/2026

🐯 GET TO KNOW ROAR | STAFF SPOTLIGHT — THE MEN OF ROAR 🧡🖤

Throughout this first week of September, we’ve been celebrating Get to Know ROAR Month by reintroducing Tahlequah to the people and programs that make ROAR Academy & Outreach Center special.

We’re wrapping up our Staff Spotlight series with the final four members of our team — the Men of ROAR! These four bring a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to our campus and serve in very different roles, but each plays an important part in helping ROAR serve our students and community.

⭐ ROBERT “BOB” PATTISON
📚 24 Years in Education
🐯 4 Years at Tahlequah Public Schools

Mr. Pattison is a valuable part of our team who works part-time as a special education teacher at People Inc. here in Tahlequah.
Around ROAR, Bob has another important responsibility: keeping Mrs. Rucker in line. The two share an office and their morning coffee, and their friendship and good-natured banter are a regular part of our mornings.

Bob is also somewhat of a legend among our staff because, in 2026, he still does not own a cell phone! 📵 When we really need to keep Bob in the loop, we know the secret — message his beloved wife, Sue!

We’re thankful for Bob’s experience, sense of humor, and the support he provides our students.

⭐ BRIAN JORDAN
🐯 4 Years at Tahlequah Public Schools

Mr. Jordan serves as our ISSTAP — In School Short Term Alternative Placement — Teacher. Before moving to ISSTAP last year, he taught science at Tahlequah High School.

Before entering education, Brian spent many years serving our community in local law enforcement, giving him a unique background and perspective for the work he does today.

ISSTAP isn’t an easy assignment. Brian works hard to build relationships with his students, hold them accountable, and make a positive difference during the time they spend with him. He is a steady and reliable presence on our staff.

And there’s another major benefit to having Brian around: he can fix just about anything. 🔧 That comes in pretty handy around ROAR!

⭐ PHILLIP BUSH
📚 34 Years in Education
🐯 33 Years at Tahlequah Public Schools

Mr. Bush serves as Coordinator of the Tahlequah Adult Learning Center (TALC), TPS’s GED program located right here at ROAR.
Phillip has dedicated nearly his entire educational career to Tahlequah Public Schools, including 20 years in the same office as Vice Principal of Tahlequah Middle School!

Today, he does a phenomenal job coordinating the TALC staff and facilitating both day and evening GED programming. His work extends our mission beyond our traditional high school students and provides another pathway for people in our community to reach an important educational milestone.

After more than three decades at TPS, Phillip appreciates the opportunity to continue serving the Tahlequah community — and we’re thankful TALC is part of the ROAR family.

⭐ NICK HIGHSMITH
📚 14 Years in Education
🐯 3 Years at Tahlequah Public Schools

And finally, our Director, Mr. Highsmith.

This is his third year at TPS, with all three spent serving the district’s alternative education program — the first two as the counselor, and now his first year as Director of ROAR Academy & Outreach Center.

During his 14 years in education, he has served as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, principal, and superintendent.

Mr. Highsmith says he has loved every role he has held in education and, while serving in each one, was convinced it was the best job in the world. Alternative education has proven to be one of the most rewarding.

For him, there is something special about helping a student who has faced obstacles find a pathway forward and ultimately achieve the dream of graduating from high school.

This year has also provided the opportunity to help cast a new vision for ROAR as our program transitioned from Central Academy to ROAR Academy & Outreach Center — honoring the legacy of the program while building upon it for the future.

🧡 And with that, you’ve met the ROAR staff!

11 staff members. 258 combined years of experience. Different backgrounds. Different roles. Different personalities. One shared purpose.

We believe in our students. We believe in second chances. We believe that circumstances do not have to determine outcomes. And we believe there is more than one pathway to success.

We’ve enjoyed introducing you to the people behind ROAR, but Get to Know ROAR Month isn’t over yet!

Next, we’ll turn the spotlight from our people to our programming and show you more about what happens every day at ROAR Academy & Outreach Center.

Removing Obstacles. Achieving Results.

09/02/2026

🐯 GET TO KNOW ROAR | STAFF SPOTLIGHT…AND ONE STAFF SHOUT-OUT! 🧡🖤

Throughout September, we’re celebrating Get to Know ROAR Month by reintroducing Tahlequah to the people and programs that make ROAR Academy & Outreach Center special.

Today, we’re highlighting three educators who serve in teaching roles at ROAR and bring a wide range of experience, expertise, and heart to our students.

⭐ GABBY VEITH
📚 19 Years in Education
🐯 19 Years at Tahlequah Public Schools

Mrs. Veith is certainly no stranger to TPS. She has spent her entire career at Tahlequah High School and is now splitting her time between THS and ROAR, where she helps support our students in math and science courses.

Why Alternative Education?

She was given the opportunity and was looking for new experiences and new ways to help students.

We are thankful for the knowledge, experience, and flexibility she brings to our students while continuing to serve at THS.

⭐ SWEETIE BERRY
📚 41 Years in Education
🐯 First Year at Tahlequah Public Schools

And yes — her name really is Sweetie!

Mrs. Berry is new to TPS this year, but she is certainly not new to education. In her 41st year as an educator, she brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to ROAR as our Special Education Teacher.

Mrs. Berry is the definition of a team player. She is always willing to jump in, help where needed, and fill the gaps around our program. Her positive attitude is a bright spot on our staff, and we are incredibly thankful to have both her and her expertise at ROAR.

📣 JENNIFER WALKER — STAFF SHOUT-OUT!
📚 5 Years in Education
🐯 First Year Teaching at Tahlequah Public Schools

Ms. Walker made sure we knew she doesn’t particularly care for the word “spotlight,” so this one is officially her Staff Shout-Out!

Jennifer is no stranger to TPS either. She has been a TPS parent and supporter for many years. After teaching for several years, she stepped away from the classroom to help raise her children and has now returned to education as a first-year teacher with TPS.

She has already been a wonderful addition to ROAR. Her French teaching certification has allowed us to begin offering French at ROAR, giving our students an important option for completing their required foreign language credits without having to leave our program.

Why Alternative Education?

She wanted to help students who sometimes fall through the cracks.

That belief fits perfectly with the mission of ROAR.

Together, these three teachers bring experience, flexibility, specialized expertise, and a commitment to meeting students where they are.

We are also incredibly thankful to TPS district administration for investing in ROAR through additional staffing and new positions.

Those investments allow us to expand what we offer, provide more individualized support, and ultimately serve more students in our community.

We are grateful for Mrs. Veith, Mrs. Berry, and Ms. Walker — and for the wealth of experience and opportunity they bring to ROAR every day.

Removing Obstacles. Achieving Results.

09/02/2026

🐯 GET TO KNOW ROAR | STAFF SPOTLIGHT 🧡🖤

Throughout September, we’re reintroducing ROAR Academy & Outreach Center to Tahlequah by highlighting the people and programs that make our school special.

Today, we’re introducing two team members who have spent their entire educational careers serving Tahlequah Public Schools. Between them, they bring 37 years of service to TPS — and you’ll struggle to find two people in our district who do more to help kids and families in need.

As part of the transition to ROAR Academy & Outreach Center, Liza Warren and Amy Spears brought their work with the TPS Outreach Center into our newly combined program. We are incredibly fortunate to have them.

⭐ LIZA WARREN
📚 20 Years in Education
🐯 20 Years at Tahlequah Public Schools

Liza wears a lot of hats! In addition to serving as Counselor for our Alternative Education Program, she serves in district-wide roles as District Test Coordinator and District MTSS Coordinator and assists with Federal Programs and Grants.

Why Alternative Education?
“To help those in need.”

That answer sums up Liza pretty well. She is incredibly organized and is one of our program’s go-to people when something needs to get done. She’s also a fantastic decorator and has played a huge role in transforming the design and feel of ROAR Academy & Outreach Center into a place our students and staff can be proud of.

Our Director, Mr. Highsmith, is especially thankful to have Liza as his “right hand” as we continue building ROAR!

⭐ AMY SPEARS
📚 17 Years in Education
🐯 17 Years at Tahlequah Public Schools

Amy also serves our students and families in several roles. She is the district’s Outreach Coordinator and Federal Programs Clerk and has added ROAR Office Manager to her responsibilities this year.

If you call ROAR, Amy’s is the friendly voice you’re likely to hear on the other end. And when you walk through our front door, her smiling face will probably be the first one you see!

Why Alternative Education?
“All kids deserve a chance for success.”

Amy lives that belief through her work every day. Among the many ways she serves our students, she helps coordinate our Backpack Program, providing food and support to students and families in need. She has a big heart for kids and has been a wonderful addition to our school team.

🧡 The Outreach Center has always been about helping remove barriers for students and families. Bringing Liza, Amy, and that mission together with our Alternative Education Program is exactly what ROAR is about.

We’re thankful to have these two wonderful ladies on our team and excited about what we can accomplish by bringing our people and programs together under one roof.

Removing Obstacles. Achieving Results.

09/01/2026

🧡 GET TO KNOW ROAR | SEPTEMBER 2026 🖤

This September, we’re inviting Tahlequah to Get to Know Our Program!

Over the next month, we’ll be reintroducing ROAR Academy & Outreach Center to our community by highlighting the people, programs, and opportunities that make ROAR a unique part of Tahlequah Public Schools.

We’re kicking things off with our Staff Spotlight Series!

Our 11 staff members bring an incredible 258 combined years of experience to ROAR. Throughout the series, we’ll introduce you to the educators and support staff behind our program, share a little about their experience, and highlight why they choose to serve students in alternative education.

But our staff is only the beginning. Throughout September, we’ll also take you inside our programming and show you more about what we do, how we do it, and why it matters.

We’re proud to be part of Tahlequah Public Schools, and we’re excited to reintroduce ourselves to the community we serve.

Removing Obstacles. Achieving Results. 🐯

🐯 STAFF SPOTLIGHT | MEET TWO OF OUR ROAR VETERANS! 🧡🖤

As we kick off our Get to Know ROAR series, we’re starting with two of the most experienced educators on our team — Jan Rucker and Dana Combs!

Between the two of them, they bring an incredible 80 YEARS of experience in education to the students of ROAR Academy!

⭐ JAN RUCKER
📚 48 Years in Education
🐯 33 Years at Tahlequah Public Schools
Why Alternative Education?
“These kids have my heart!”
After nearly five decades in education, Mrs. Rucker continues to bring her experience, compassion, and commitment to our students every day. When she isn’t at ROAR, she loves to travel and have a good time!

⭐ DANA COMBS
📚 32 Years in Education
🐯 6 Years at Tahlequah Public Schools
Why Alternative Education?
“I truly get to make a difference in the students’ lives.”
Mrs. Combs is passionate about building relationships and helping students find success. And here’s something you might not know about her — she is blind in one eye!

Together, Mrs. Rucker and Mrs. Combs represent what makes alternative education special: experience, relationships, and a belief that every student deserves someone in their corner.

We’re proud they’re part of the ROAR family! 🧡🖤
Removing Obstacles. Achieving Results.

08/28/2026

🧡🖤🐅Thankful for our partners with the Roots and Fruits Grant for the kitchen supplies to use in our Life Skills course.🐅🖤🧡

Our life skills course teaches students everyday skills like cooking, household cleaning, laundry, money management, employment skills, communication skills, hygiene skills, and more.

08/17/2026

🎓 Did you know Tahlequah Public Schools offers a FREE GED program?🎓

If earning your GED has been on your mind, now is the perfect time to get started!

Join us for GED enrollment night on Tuesday, August 25th at ROAR Academy and Outreach Center!

☀️🌙 Day and night classes are available, and instruction and materials are completely FREE.

Whether you’re looking for a fresh start, better job opportunities, or the next step in your educational journey, Tahlequah Adult Learning Center is ready to help you reach your goal!

🧡🐅🖤Tahlequah Adult Learning Center is a part of our ROAR Academy and Outreach Center family, and is the GED program for Tahlequah Public Schools, funded by the Adult Education and Family Literacy grant program through Oklahoma CareerTech.🖤🐅🧡

08/07/2026

🎂🎉🎁Happy Birthday to the ONE and ONLY Jan Rucker! What a blessing she is to our team here at ROAR!🎂🎉🎁

08/06/2026

A New Chapter: Every Journey Starts Somewhere 🌟

Every journey begins with a single step.

Today, we opened our doors to new opportunities, fresh starts, and second chances.

Welcome to the first day of school at ROAR Academy.

We ROAR Together 🖤🐅🧡

08/03/2026

Today, we proudly welcomed the ROAR Academy and Outreach Center staff back for Tahlequah Public Schools opening assembly as we kicked off the 2026-2027 school year! 🟠⚫🐅🟠⚫

A special thank you to Vidalia’s and the TPS Foundation for a great lunch!

This afternoon, our staff came together for professional development focused on building the culture, identity, and shared vision that will guide us as we serve our students this year.

We can't wait to welcome our students back soon!

Here is to a great year ahead!

🖤🧡🐅🧡🖤

07/28/2026