SPARTAN'S

Staff & Teachers Directory

Wren Hawthorne

superintendent

wren.hawthorne@theacademyof.org

Tammy Potter

Head of School

tammy.potter@theacademyof.org

Tammy Craig-Potter is a  1998 graduate of East Central University. She has taught early childhood for 20-plus years. She has previously taught at Butner and Varnum Public Schools.  She began her career at TAOS teaching Pre-K and Kindergarten.  In 2021 she was named Principal of the Academy.  In July of 2023, she was promoted to “Head of School.”  Ms. Potter has three grown daughters and seven grandchildren.  She enjoys traveling, shopping, movies, and spending time with family.  Ms. Potter’s goal is to create a family atmosphere at TAOS.  She stated, “Building relationships is the most important part of her job.”

Stephanie Fletcher

Executive Secretary to Superintendent

stephanie.fletcher@theacademyof.org

I have worked for The Academy going on 5 years. I am married and have 2 sons.  I enjoy getting to spend time with my family and my 2 dogs.

Jamie Jones

Encumbrance Clerk Secretary to Head of School

jamie.jones@theacademyof.org

Sheri Bray

School Counselor/Director of Life Plans

sheri.bray@theacademyof.org

Ms. Bray comes from a long line of educators, so it was only fitting that she made the decision to follow her dream and pursue a career in education. In the summer of 2016, she began a graduate program at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Shortly after, she completed an M.Ed. in Special Education. After five years in the classroom, she decided to begin working on an M.Ed. in School Counseling. She finished the program, having earned her second master’s in 2023. 

Ms. Bray joined The Academy of Seminole in 2018. She has served as the English Department Head, Director of Concurrent Enrollment. Testing Coordinator, Student Council Sponsor, and Senior Events Coordinator. She is thrilled to begin her work as a school counselor and can’t wait to help each student as they set out to fulfill their life plans.

Tiffani Coker

SPED Director, Gifted & Talented HS

tiffani.coker@theacademyof.org

Paula Williams

Pre-K

paula.williams@theacademyof.org

My name is Paula Williams-Edwards, I am married to Ernest Edwards. We have
four children, twenty-two grandchildren, and 2 great-grandsons. We live in the city
of Wewoka, where we have lived for over 25 years. I have always had a heart for
children and the community. I began working with children from my church youth
to the community as a 4-H volunteer, and later to the school as a teacher. I have
taught P3 and Pre-K for the last 17 years. I am excited about joining the academic
team at The Academy of Seminole. I am looking forward to this new experience.
My goal as a teacher has always been to meet each student where they are and to
help bring out the best in each one.

Heather Branscum

Kindergarten

heather.branscum@theacademyof.org

Heather Branscum has 15 years of teaching experience. She has
taught Head Start, Pre-K, and Kindergarten. She is excited to become
a part of the TAOS team as the new Kindergarten teacher.

Janet Farrow

First Grade

janet.farrow@theacademyof.org

Amy Porter

2nd Grade

amy.porter@theacademyof.org

Amy Porter is the second grade teacher at TAOS.  This is her fourth year to teach 2nd grade.  Prior to that, she taught fourth grade for 21 years. 

She has been married to Tim for almost 26 years.  They have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.  She loves being a Lolly! 

Earlean McCoin

3rd Grade

earlean.mccoin@theacademyof.org

Earlean McCoin earned her Bachelor’s Degree in education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She has been an elementary teacher for fifty years in Seminole County. She is looking forward to an exciting year at The Academy of Seminole as the third grade teacher.

Kayla Montebello

4th Grade

kayla.montebello@theacademyof.org

Kayla Montebello graduated from ECU with a bachelors in science. She has two doodles named Gabbana and Guinness. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and is looking forward to another year at TAOS!

Steven Rooker

5th Grade-Lead Elem. Teacher

steven.rooker@theacademyof.org

Mr. Rooker was raised in Dale, Ok where he graduated from Dale Public School. He began his higher learning at Rose State College and finished earning his Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Education through the University of Phoenix in 2013. He holds a teaching certificate in Elementary Education 2nd-8th grade. Mr. Rooker has 10 years experience teaching and has taught at The Academy of Seminole for the last 4 years. He is a teacher who thinks outside the box and finds fun and creative ways to help his students learn!

Lindsay Youngblood

Elm. SPED

lindsay.youngblood@theacademyof.org

Lindsay Youngblood is a mother of 3 children who are all sports enthusiasts. I have a masters in school counseling and this will be my 8th year working in special education. Her passion for the growth of  the students stretches beyond her classroom walls and she is so excited to start her journey with TAOS!

Carol Lloyd

Middle School 6/7 Math & Science- Lead MS Teacher

carol.lloyd@theacademyof.org

Carol Lloyd has an Associate Degree from Seminole State College, a Bachelor Degree from East Central University and National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist. She has 31 years of experience in the field of education with 21 of those years in Middle School science and math.  They are very proud to be teaching middle school math, science and STEM at the Academy of Seminole.   
 

Sheila Underwood

Middle School 6/7 ELA & History

sheila.underwood@theacademyof.org

I grew up near Little, Oklahoma and attended Strother Public School. I have a Bachelor’s degree from East Central University for Elementary Education and Early Childhood, and also completed a Master’s degree from East Central University in 2010.

Dana Garner

High School Math - Lead HS Teacher

dana.garner@theacademyof.org

Dana Garner received her Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics with a minor in education in 2002. She is currently working towards her Masters Degree in Mathematics Curriculum and Instruction.
She has taught for 20 years, the last four of those at The Academy of Seminole. She is married to the love of her life and has two amazing children.

Kyle Moore

High School History & Esports

kyle.moore@theacademyof.org

Kyle Moore is a decorated educator with over 20 years of experience teaching and has dedicated his life to the education industry. He achieved Certified Adult Educator certification from the University of Oklahoma in 2009 and was a Master Facilitator with the United States Postal Service for over 10 years. He was invited to be a keynote speaker at the last 9 National Postal Forums and was voted the Postal Person of the Year for 2018. He has been invited to speak at a variety of events from Portland Oregon to Miami Florida. As the Head Educator at the Oklahoma Institute of Regenerative Health, he was a leading expert on regenerative medicine and stem cell research.

Mr Moore has served at TAOS for 4 years as the Middle School and High School history teacher as well as the coach and founder of our eSports program and the host of TAOS’ Table Tennis Club.

Kendra Eddlemon

High School Science

kendra.eddlemon@theacademyof.org

Kendra Eddlemon mother/wife/educator has a love of Nature and Science. She spent the first half of her career working in Environmental Science for the State of Oklahoma and has taught High School Science for the last 20 years specializing in Life Science. She and her husband have lived in Seminole for the last 30 years owning and operating a cattle ranch and raising 2 beautiful daughters.

Taylor Chesser

High School English

taylor.chesser@theacademyof.org

I graduated with my Bachelor’s in English Education from East Central University in 2019. I’m currently on my 5th year of teaching. My husband, Joe, is my best friend; we have the best little three-year-old boy named Fletcher. I believe that every student can learn, but you have to first show the student you care about them as an individual before learning can take place. Yes, I want to teach students English, but I hope more than anything that they feel safe and loved in my classroom each day!

Cassi Rader

HS Art/Yearbook, Music Ap., Digital Media

cassi.rader@theacademyof.org

I have 10 years experience in teaching, the last 4 have been at The Academy of Seminole. I have a degree in art and education, and I am a certified therapeutic art life coach. My passions are teaching, art, design, interior design, traveling and my family.

Ashleigh Halterman

MS/HS SPED

ashleigh.halterman@theacademyof.org

Dante Becerra

Elem. P.E./Spanish/Lifeskills

dante.becerra@theacademyof.org

Dante Becerra teaches Spanish, Life Skills, and Elm. P.E.
He is a talented artist who enjoys drawing and painting.
In his spare time, he collects, buys, and sells toys. Ninja Turtles are his favorite.

Raynell Nelson

Elementary Art

raynell.nelson@theacademyof.org

Hi my name is Raynell Nelson. Ms Raynell to my students. I teach elementary art at Taos.

Terra Meek

HS SPED Para-Resource room

terra.meek@theacademyof.org

Terra Meek is first and foremost a wife and mother of 3 amazing children, She is 38 years old with a great passion for seeing our youth succeed. She began her journey with TAOS in August 2018, as an aide to one very amazing, lovable child. Since then, she has been working with our middle/high school SpEd students in resource support and any other way possible. This year she am excited to continue providing in resource support with our students, and am very excited to be a part of teaching Family and Consumer Science !

Erica Weinrich

Elementary SPED Para

erica.weinrich@theacademyof.org

Erica Weinrich moved to Seminole, Oklahoma June 2019 from Ohio. She is a loving wife and mother of one wonderful son. They have been a Para at TAOS for four years. She is currently working on my Bachelor of Special Education and Elementary Education.

Candyce Brewer

1st Grade Para

candyce.brewer@theacademyof.org

Candyce Brewer is a para for the elementary. She is a proud mother to a TAOS kid. She loves reading, animals, cooking, and helping children.

Jessica Stay

Kindergarten Assistant

jessica.stay@theacademyof.org

 Jessica Stay is happily married to her favorite person and best friend, Eric. They were born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. They moved to Seminole, Oklahoma at the end of 2019. Their daughter and son both attend TAOS. She found her happy place when she became a member of the TAOS family. She loves assisting in our school babies, education and truly loves her job. Mrs. Stay is looking forward to another wonderful year.

Brandy Sewell

Front Office Secretary

brandy.sewell@theacademyof.org

Jadee Hoskison

Food Service Manager

jadee.hoskison@theacademyof.org

Jadee Hoskison  grew up in Seminole county and still lives here in Seminole with her family and her dog. She loves TAOS and what they offer to the Students. she can’t wait to watch us grow and look back and see what we have accomplished together.🙂

Tina Whitten

Food Service

tina.whitten@theacademyof.org

Frances Clark

Food Service

frances.clark@theacademyof.org

Donna Lindsey

Housekeeping

donna.lindsey@theacademyof.org

Stephanie Meyers

Shadow

stephanie.meyers@theacademyof.org

Stephanie Meyers is a mom of 2 great kids. They have been going to TAOS since it opened for all grades. She loves music, so you can usually find her with an ear bud in. She is a shadow for a student in the Elementary.

Denise Bird

RTI/Shadow

denise.bird@theacademyof.org

Married 43 years. Enjoys ladies Bible study. she has 5 grandchildren 19-12 years of age. They have a working ranch with black Angus cattle. they love to travel and the beach is her style.

Paul Garner

IT Administrator

paul.garner@theacademyof.org

Paul Garner