Media Release
Stillwater Public Schools has hired Dee Atkins as Director of Federal and OSU Programs. She has worked for the district for 30 years. The Board of Education approved the hire on June 9.
Following student teaching at Skyline Elementary, Atkins taught for 25 years at Westwood Elementary. During that time she received a master’s degree in Teaching, Learning and Leadership followed by National Board Certification. Additionally, she assumed several leadership roles over her career including a lead role in negotiations, and state and local inquiry science initiatives where she helped create training manuals for teacher training. She was selected to write state standards in reading and math, and has taught at Oklahoma State University as an Adjunct Professor.
In 2015 she accepted a role as Indian Education Coordinator. “I wanted to make sure each program introduced was designed with integrity,” Atkins says. “This meant the Indian Education parent committee had to be an integral part in the decision making. Together we created a community by sharing meals and other cultural experiences.” During her tenure she implemented several new educational and cultural opportunities, including participation in the Oklahoma Indian Challenge Bowl, Battle of the Books, Indian Education Legislative Day, and literacy and STEM programs.
“This position has certainly given me the experience to learn and work within the parameters of a Federal Program,” says Atkins. “Earl Johnson, who is retiring from the Federal Program Director position has allowed me the opportunity to learn alongside him. He will be greatly missed, but I am forever grateful he was the one showing me the ropes.”
“I really believe each job has prepared me for this new challenge,” Atkins says, “and I look forward to collaborating with others in our district.”
In her new role Atkins will oversee federal and OSU related grants and programs, including Title l, lll, lll, and Vll, as well as oversee the district’s Indian Education and English Language Learner Coordinators. She will also facilitate district student teacher placements for professional education candidates from across the state, process educational research requests, and coordinate other university-based programs that are implemented within Stillwater schools.
“Each year Stillwater Public Schools receives around $3 million from the federal government,” says Dr. Marc Moore, Superintendent. “Being responsible for those funds, assisting with the grants used to acquire a large portion of those funds, and assuring we are in compliance with all of the regulations connected to those funds makes the Director of Federal Programs a vital role. Dee Atkins’ years of educational experience and familiarity with SPS and those programs make her a great fit for the role.”
