Student Support

The Oklahoma State Department of Education Office of Student Support provides a holistic approach to supporting educators and families through academic guidance, alternative education strategies, college and career readiness connections, social-emotional learning resources, and family engagement supports. We strive to increase equitable access to post-secondary opportunities and resources that promote the academic, social, and mental health and wellbeing of all students. We resource our schools. We serve our families. We support our students.

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
The Oklahoma State Department of Education, Alternative Education Department is committed to providing guidance and support in order to promote excellence in education for our most at-risk student population.

Brayden Savage, M.Ed.
Director of Alternative Education

Missy Corn, M.Ed.
Alternative Education Field Specialist

COUNSELING
The OSDE Counseling and Academic Counseling divisions provide school counselors, administrators and teachers with the tools, training, knowledge, resources and technical assistance to support safe, nurturing and academically focused learning environments for all students.

Beth Whittle, M.Ed, LPC
Executive Director of Counseling

Petra Woodard, M.Ed.
Executive Director of Academic Counseling

COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS
The Division of College & Career Readiness supports educators and families in developing plans that lead to success after high school. Success means that a student can obtain gainful employment that matches his or her passions and interests while still providing a living wage.

Chelsea Hunt, MBA
Executive Director of Work-Based Learning & Industry Engagement

Marissa Lightsey, MSHR
Executive Director of College & Career Readiness

CRISIS PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE
The Crisis Team was developed through a STOP School Violence Grant from the Department of Justice. This grant is in partnership with the Oklahoma School Safety and Security Institute and Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. The Crisis Team supports Oklahoma school districts in crisis prevention, preparedness, intervention, and response. 

Erika Olinger, PhD, NCSP, BCBA-D
Crisis Team School Psychologist

Trisha Goga, MA, NCSP, RBT
Crisis Team School Psychologist

FAMILY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The Family and Community Engagement Division provides guidance, resources and support for families, schools, and communities as they work together to build meaningful partnerships that promote student success.

Sonia Johnson
Executive Director of Family & Community Engagement

PREVENTION SERVICES
The Prevention Services Division administers programs and initiatives that assist districts in addressing the risk behaviors in Oklahoma’s students such as bullying, suicide, substance abuse and violence prevention.

Elizabeth Suddath, MPH
Executive Director of Prevention Services

Dr. Shelly Ellis, Deputy Superintendent

Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 112
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
Fax: (405) 522-0496