'I Want To Collaborate': Dr. Ebony Johnson On Her Appointment As TPS Superintendent

The Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education voted to name Dr. Ebony Johnson the permanent superintendent for the district.

Related Story: Tulsa School Board Approves Dr. Ebony Johnson As Superintendent

Dr. Johnson joined us Tuesday morning to share more about her appointment as superintendent and what comes next.

What was your experience as interim? What will change moving forward?

"I've continuously stated that we are truly the constant. All the things that are happening around us are the variables. And so then therefore, you know, we continue to move forward. And I say 'we' because it's all of us; it's our staff, our teachers, our leaders, our counselors, you know, our community, our families. And so it's been quite a bit, but we're up for it. We're excited about the direction in which we're going. And so in that vein, I will say it's going good. I'm looking forward to the future. I'm very, very appreciative and honored to be named as the permanent superintendent. I know that it was a decision that the board made. And so I'm grateful for our elected officials. And I'm grateful for the communities that support them. Lots of folks came out last night. So I'm super appreciative of that. And so as it relates to future, I see great things. I believe that with time, space and opportunity, we'll be the exemplar. And so I'm looking forward to working out that blueprint, along with our teams," Dr. Johnson said.

You sent a letter in response to State Supt. Walters suggestion for a nationwide search for a new TPS superintendent. Why did you feel that letter was important?

"I think it was important because whenever the information that he sent went live, or it became formal, and the community was aware of it, I wanted to make sure that there was clarity that was brought. And, you know, just to explain that it's not at all that anyone would be against ensuring that we have a variety of candidates that's looked at and that we pick the best person and the best leader for Tulsa, because Tulsa deserves the best leader. It's more so, 'how do you define the best leader?' And you know, I'm born, bred, and raised here. I have attended schools here. I have credentials. I have a large experience, and I have a heart to be in Tulsa. In addition to that, we're in a very difficult time in education. I anticipate as of January, I'll have about five chief level vacancies. And so I'll have to be able to stand up an executive team that can carry out this work, so that we can actually meet our outcomes," Dr. Johnson explained.

How do you as the new superintendent mend bridges, mend relationships, and be transparent?

"I have so much respect for our board. Our elected officials, they show up. They are very dedicated to the work of our young people. And so I'm going to continue what I've started, which is to really cultivate board relations. It's critically important that they know that they can communicate with me, that I'm going to reach out to them on a regular basis, giving them updates, reminding them of the things that are happening in their schools, reminding them of our challenges, making sure I take them on what's called 'boardwalks,' where we walk into buildings together. We see the information. We talk to leaders. We better understand our goals. We know what we're doing with the pathways to opportunity, which is our strategic plan. And just to continue to work in that vein and just making sure that they know that they've elected me. They've selected me and I'm here to do the work. I want to collaborate. I want to work through all of the things that we need to work through, so that our young people can be be successful, so that we can remain in local control, so that we can continue to go towards the goals that we've set for our students," Dr. Johnson said.

Dr. Johnson's clarification on her letter to Ryan Walters:

"In the letter, I just want to make sure it's highlighted that I have every intention of continuing to collaborate with our state. We need our State Department of Education. It's our State Department and Tulsa Public Schools working together and collaboratively that's going to get us to where we need to go. And so I continue to welcome that collaboration. We're going to continue to foster that collaboration with our state superintendent and our board," Dr. Johnson added.

Click the picture below to read Dr. Johnson's response to statements made by State Superintendent Ryan Walters: