Spotlight on the CCOSA Executive Committee (CEC)

John Potter, Assistant Superintendent of Pryor Public Schools

Becoming an educator is a journey that often begins long before stepping into a classroom. For me, it was always a natural extension of who I was — shaped by the countless moments in my life where I found joy in helping others learn. From teaching my friends how to ride a bike to guiding my sister through the complexities of a science lab report, these experiences laid the foundation for my passion for teaching.

When I think back to those early teaching moments, they were never about instruction in the traditional sense. They were about patience, understanding, and the joy of seeing someone master something new. I can vividly remember the pride I felt when my friend first balanced on their bike or when my sister took first place at the school science fair. It wasn’t about imparting knowledge in a rigid way — it was about making someone feel confident, capable, and supported. That, I now realize, is at the heart of being an educator.

Teaching, for me, was always about more than just the skill being learned. When I first started teaching as a 3rd grade bilingual teacher in Sherman, Texas, it was about building a connection, creating a safe space for mistakes, and celebrating progress no matter how small. Over the years, that sense of fulfillment has only deepened. Later I moved to Colorado Springs to teach a 3rd-5th multi-grade class. The satisfaction of guiding someone through a challenge, seeing them push past their doubts, and watching them succeed became an integral part of who I am.

As I transitioned into more secondary teaching roles, I found that my approach remained unchanged. Whether it’s helping a student grasp a difficult concept while teaching 8th grade science in Claremore or simply offering encouragement to my leadership students when they were feeling discouraged the years that I taught at Pryor High School, I’ve always carried with me the understanding that teaching is an act of empathy. It’s not just about the content — it’s about the people, their stories, and how we can grow together through the process of learning.

Ultimately, becoming an educator wasn’t a decision made overnight. It was a journey that unfolded naturally, shaped by years of teaching moments in everyday life. When I served as the Pryor Middle School Principal, I carried with me the same principles: patience, support, and the belief that everyone has the potential to succeed, no matter where they start.

Now as the Assistant Superintendent of Pryor Public Schools, I find immense joy in fostering a positive, thriving learning environment for other educators. It’s rewarding to support teachers, guiding them in refining their craft and seeing their growth impact students. The opportunity to shape school culture, inspire collaboration, and create a space where both students and staff feel valued is fulfilling. Witnessing other teachers’ success, whether through academic achievements or personal growth, reminds me daily of the transformative power of education and the critical role leadership plays in shaping the future. Every challenge is a chance to make a meaningful difference today and tomorrow.

— John Potter

Tara Burnett, OAESP President

Tara is currently in her 11th year as Principal at Highland Park Elementary in Woodward. Her career began when she received her Bachelor of Education degree at Oklahoma State University in fall 1995. In her 29 years in Education, Tara has taught 3rd grade, 5th grade, and 7th grade reading. Tara taught in Everman, Texas, for one year, and the remainder of her career has been spent in Woodward. In 2001, Tara received her master’s degree in K-12 counseling from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, followed by her K-8th grade principal certification. She has been 5th-6th grade counselor at Woodward Middle

School and 2nd-5th grade counselor at Cedar Heights Elementary. Her teaching spotlights include being named one of Woodward’s final candidates for Teacher of the Year in 2001 and obtaining National Board Certification in Elementary Education. Before being named Highland Park Principal, Tara was the Assistant Principal for two years at Woodward Early Childhood Center. She has served as the Woodward Education Foundation President and also the President of Woodward District Professional Development Committee. Two years ago, Tara was awarded the Jimmy Peck Educator Award after being nominated by a teacher at her elementary school.

This is Tara’s fifth year serving on the OAESP executive committee, currently as President, and her second year on CCOSA’s Executive Committee. OAESP has brought her top-notch professional development, colleagues turned lifelong friends, and a table of wisdom through deeply passionate conversations about the importance of public education.

Recent Success

“Highland Park’s most recent success story was celebrating the tenth year of sustainability of our mentoring program, ‘Each One, Needs One.’ We have grown our program to consist of over 40 community members, including our Woodward High School juniors and seniors, mentoring at-risk students on a weekly basis. It takes one caring adult in a child’s life to make a difference. And many times, our mentors fulfill that role to flip the script for our at-risk students. Because of the success of our mentoring program, each school in our district is now engaging in a mentoring program of their own. To us, that is true success because we are able to impact a larger number of our students in Woodward Schools.”

Amy Swartz, ODSS President

Amy was born into a family of educators, growing up surrounded by strong role models in the public school system. From an early age, she witnessed firsthand the power of education and the profound impact that teachers and school leaders can have on students’ lives. Inspired by her family’s example, Amy pursued a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University, where she built the foundational knowledge that would shape her career. She later continued her academic journey by earning a master’s degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, further enhancing her expertise in education.

With 19 years of experience in public education, Amy has had the privilege of working in both general education and special education settings. She began her career as a teacher, where she connected with students, guided their academic growth, and tailored learning experiences to meet their unique needs. Throughout her career, Amy has witnessed firsthand the profound impact that tailored support and resources can have on students’ success.

Outside of her professional duties, Amy recently participated in Leadership Ponca City through the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce. She worked collaboratively with her classmates, holding a successful fundraiser supporting ten different local nonprofit organizations, including the Dearing House Child Advocacy Center. Amy also volunteers on local boards within the community, supporting early childhood development and animal welfare. Giving back to the community that has supported her throughout her career is something she deeply values. She finds fulfillment in helping strengthen local initiatives and providing resources to those in need.

Recent Success

“In my current role as the Executive Director of Special Services at Ponca City Public Schools, I oversee a range of services designed to support students’ academic, emotional, and behavioral development. My position is both challenging and immensely rewarding, as it allows me to lead and collaborate with others on initiatives that directly improve student outcomes and foster inclusivity in education. Notable successes during my tenure include the addition of full-time school counselors at every school site in the district, an increase in licensed professional counselors on staff to provide mental health support to students district-wide, and the upcoming addition of a therapeutic classroom set to open in fall 2025. These initiatives have enhanced the district’s ability to meet the diverse needs of students and support their overall well-being.

Looking back on nearly two decades of work, I’m proud of the progress made in providing comprehensive services for all students and excited to continue my efforts to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed. For me, education is not just a career — it’s a lifelong passion driven by a growth mindset, focused on empowering others, including students, teachers, and families, and helping them unlock their full potential through continuous learning and development.”

Matt Johnson, OASSP President

Matt is currently in his 17th year in administration and 24th year in public education. He has served as the head principal of Shawnee High School for nine years. Previous to his employment with Shawnee Public Schools, he was the Academic Assistant Principal at Del City High School in Del City, Oklahoma, and an Assistant Principal at Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, Oklahoma. Long a child advocate, Matt was an art teacher at Del City High School, Classen School of Advanced Studies, Telstar Elementary School, Mark Twain Elementary School, and Western Village Elementary School and was an Arts Integration Specialist for Oklahoma City Public Schools. He also served as Supervisor for the Community Intervention Center and worked with homeless children and violent juvenile offenders at Youth

Services for Oklahoma County Inc. and Sisu Youth Services.

Since he has been at Shawnee, the school has added a number of programs, including aerospace and drones classes, cybersecurity, computer science, eSports, internships, an Associates Program, a food backpack program, clothing closet, community garden, and multiple student leadership groups. The school has also increased its graduation rate by 20%.

Matt earned his Masters of Education Administration degree from UCO in Edmond and his Bachelors of Fine Arts from OSU in Stillwater.

Over the past several years, Matt has been fortunate to be involved in CCOSA as a regional rep, Oklahoma Principal Leadership Institute (OPLI) graduate, OPLI coach, and now OASSP President. Although he has always been a big fan of their professional development, Matt has reaped the benefits of the networking that this organization provides. COSSA has really helped Matt grow as a leader.

Recent Success

“As most people know, virtual learning is here to stay. Shawnee High School, not unlike many schools, has ventured into that arena in order to meet the needs of all of our students. We have worked very hard to not only increase the rigor of our virtual program, but also our pass rate, all while helping students meet all of their graduation requirements, including CPR, civics test, ICAP, state testing, etc. Through the efforts of our Virtual School Principal and Virtual School Coordinator, we were able to increase our pass rate from around 50% from when we first started the program during COVID to 90% this past semester. Although we are never satisfied with anything less than 100%, I am very proud of the hard work that my team has put into this program and direction it is going.”

“ Being positive in a negative situation is not naive. It’s leadership.”

– Ralph Marston ■

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