Union Public Schools - Tulsa, OK

09/10/2026

Teacher Leadership Specialist and 2023 National Teacher of the Year Rebecka Peterson and Jessica Hogaboom, district coordinator of counseling services, launched the first session of L.E.A.D. Union this week. Kicking off with a retreat at Five Oaks Lodge, the new program is based on Peterson’s own experiences with the national cohort. It is designed to provide professional development, in-district networking and portfolio support to site Teachers of the Year as they go through the district and state selection process for Teacher of the Year.

Developed in concert with Leadership Tulsa, L.E.A.D. Union stands for “Learn. Educate. Advocate. Develop.”

Twenty-three teachers were in attendance, including previous District Teachers of the Year. Former Mayor G.T. Bynum -- himself a Leadership Tulsa grad -- was there to say a few words of encouragement.

Six sessions will cover:
• Session 1: Leading from Within
• Session 2: Courageous Conversations and Storytelling
• Session 3: Innovation in Education
• Session 4: Connecting Beyond the Classroom
• Session 5: Civic Engagement and Action
• Session 6: Capstone with District Leaders

Union is the first Oklahoma school district to partner with Leadership Tulsa, in hopes that other districts may want to create similar programs. (Thanks, also, to Union Schools Education Foundation, our primary sponsor).

As part of the National Teacher of the Year program, Peterson said the 54 nominees met five times during the year. “We were nurtured and poured into. It made me wonder what it would be like to do this at the district level. So, we are very excited to present this program we’ve been working on for the last six months.”

“Teacher recruitment and retention is a big challenge for us right now,” said Hogaboom. “We want our teachers to continue to feel valued and developed and heard because we know those teachers are more likely to stay.”

Associate Superintendent Sandi Calvin praised the new concept. “We presented L.E.A.D. Union to UCTA leadership, and they are on board and excited. Similar to the leadership program we have for aspiring principals, the focus here is on teachers. Our message to teachers is, you do not have to be an administrator to be a leader. This is a great opportunity for our teachers.”

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

Join us this Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m. to noon for In Safe Hands: How Everyday Relationships Heal a Traumatized Developing Brain.

This presentation will take place at the North Regional Health & Wellness Center and participants will hear from the Tulsa Health Department Child Guidance program about how early traumatic experiences impact child development and behavior.

Registration is required, and space is limited. Register today to secure your spot at bit.ly/THDInSafeHands

09/10/2026

Early Release Friday Reminder!

Union Public Schools will dismiss school 40 minutes early on Friday, September 11 to allow teachers additional collaboration time.

Early Release Fridays will continue through April 9, 2027 (with a few exceptions). See calendar and release times for each school site: https://www.unionps.org/news/calendars

Upcoming Early Release Fridays
September 11
September 18
September 25
October 2
October 9
October 24
October 23
October 30
November 6
November 13
November 20
December 4
December 11
January 8
January 15
January 22
Janaury 29
February 5
February 19
February 26
March 5
March 19
March 26
April 9

09/10/2026

For over 20 years, Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) has inspired children’s love of reading with Books To Treasure! This year, Books To Treasure will take place at Hardesty Regional Library, 8316 E. 93rd St., on Friday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. The event will feature a presentation and book signing with this year’s featured illustrator, Oge Mora, a collage artist.
Books To Treasure is an annual tradition for Tulsa County second graders, who receive a free copy of the featured illustrator's book, the chance to get a special library card and an opportunity to see the illustrator in person. Through September and October, second grade teachers will coordinate with TCCL staff to get these special-edition library cards to second graders, or parents and guardians can take their second grader to any library branch to apply.
This year’s featured book is “Saturday,” written and illustrated by Mora, which tells the tale of a mother-daughter duo trying to complete their special Saturday routine, while challenges remind them that time together is the most important part of the day. Mora’s debut picture book “Thank you, Oma!” received numerous awards, including a Caldecott Honor and the 2019 Coretta Scott King Award. Her work uses a unique multimedia style of illustration that includes drawing, painting and cut paper that invokes warmth and a sense of togetherness. Find copies of "Saturday," “Thank you, Oma!” and more for checkout at catalog.tulsalibrary.org
Supported by the Tulsa Library Trust and The Anne & Henry Zarrow Foundation since its inception in 2003, Books To Treasure has become a beloved tradition for Tulsa County second graders for over two decades.
To learn more about Books To Treasure, visit www.tulsalibrary.org/bookstotreasure or call the AskUs line at 918-549-7323.

09/10/2026

Union’s Theatre of Professionals presents “The Visit” September 23-26 at the Union Freshman Academy, 7616 S. Garnett. Showtime is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 cash at the door.

Directed by drama instructor Tony Schneider, “The Visit” features a story of a wealthy woman who returns to her hometown, promising to donate a sizeable amount to the struggling townspeople – but only if they murder her ex-boyfriend. Teacher Camille Bennett is assistant director.

The cast includes Lily Allen, Ellison Beeman, Kyra Burrup, Tripp Coble, Nissa Davis, Evie Foster, Julia Friend, Julissa Granados, Ruth Grzych, Andre Harris, Morgan Harris, Lilly Heinemann, Lydia Lester, Riley Martin, Claire McClain, Rachel Milligan, Furu’ola Moronto, Kellan Myers, Serenity Nixon, Avery Pensa, Isabella Sanchez, Liv Thompson, and Ariana Williams.

The student crew includes Ashley Gutierrez, Gabby Hoang, Jacky Ly, Winnie Nguyen, Eddie Sullivan, Taylor Thornton, and Julian Yanez.

09/09/2026