Member Spotlight: Dr. April Grace

OASA President & Superintendent, Shawnee Public Schools

On August 13, 2020, five months into a global pandemic, Dr. April Grace started a new school year. For what likely seemed like both the longest and the shortest five months in her career, Dr. Grace and her staff planned for the many learning options that would help her students be successful in a new school year.

Her story of a new school year was similar to that of her colleagues around the state, all commiserating as they prepared for the year ahead. But Dr. Grace was also filling the shoes of the incredible leaders who came before her as the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators (OASA) president. Leadership would look different this year – both because of the pandemic and because of the unique person to fill the role. When she took over the OASA presidency in July 2020, Dr. Grace became just the second female to hold the position, and the first to lead her superintendent colleagues into a new school year in the midst of a pandemic. And lead, she did. In her new role as OASA president, Dr. Grace continued constant communication among her superintendent colleagues, encouraged and supported the leaders around her and advocated for the needs of her fellow school administrators.

Dr. Grace’s thirty-year journey to leadership in education began at Norman Public Schools where she showed her ability to wear many hats, something she continues today. Whether she was coordinating the prom and homecoming, coaching track or teaching Anatomy and Physiology, Dr. Grace’s willingness led to more responsibility and ultimately, growth in her career.

Dr. Grace quickly moved up the ranks from teaching to serving as an administrative intern in Norman, then moving on as an assistant principal, athletic director and principal in Noble Public Schools. The next thirteen years Dr. Grace could be found at Putnam City Public Schools in several roles, including the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and assistant principal. In her current role,

Dr. Grace serves as the Superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools, where she provides vision and direction to the district. In addition to her busy career as an administrator, Dr. Grace also completed both her Master of Education in Secondary School Administration and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership, adjunct taught in several Master of Education courses and became a Marzano training consultant.

Dr. Grace, a dynamic leader, has participated in dozens of organizations throughout her career. Some of her most notable accomplishments include being named to the AASA National Women’s Leadership Consortium, participating in multiple accreditation task forces and most importantly, mom to Lauren and Gigi to Sutton.

We thank you, Dr. Grace, for your service to public education in Oklahoma and for your leadership as the 2020-2021 OASA President.