Elk City Public School Superintendent Mike Sparks is only two years into his time at Elk City Public Schools.
However, he is fourteen years into being in school administration and nearly thirty years into his career.
In many ways, Sparks has seen it all as public education has evolved, but he says he remains as committed as he ever was. So when he learned last week that he had been named as the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators (OASA) District 12 Superintendent of the Year, Sparks expressed shock.
“I’m actually embarrassed that I have to talk about this with you,” Sparks said. “To me, this award they are giving me really is a credit to our teachers and school staff. When you have the dedicated professionals that I have, it is easy to look good. But, those folks are truly the ones who earned this award. They just put my name on it.”
Sparks said that EPS had made his transition into their leader like a “cakewalk.”
Sparks explained, “We have seen impressive academic gains in two short years. I’m so proud of the teachers, the students, and all our support staff. I’ve been in education for a while, and Elk City is hard to beat.”
Sparks will be recognized at the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA) Summer Leadership Conference on June 14-16, 2023.
OASA annually recognizes outstanding administrators who:
• demonstrate successful experience in top-level educational administration
• have a sound, dynamic and realistic philosophy of education
• can inspire and motivate people and give support and recognition for the contributions of others
• have a record that evidences continued professional and personal growth through appropriate training and experiences, including skills in human relations and the stamina to cope with the pressures of the job
• have the ability to speak for education on all levels with special emphasis on the district level
• have made contributions to educational administration “Leadership is about building community, cultivating and empowering other leaders, and focusing on student success,” said Dr. Pam Deering, CCOSA/OASA Executive Director. “These school leaders have led through many challenges. They have worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for students to learn, grow and realize their full potential. Mike Sparks is among the best of Oklahoma administrators. We are excited and proud to recognize these outstanding leaders who represent the next level in school leadership. They are courageous leaders.”
OASA has 20 Districts that consist of multiple counties. Eligible OASA members are nominated and selected by their peers in their OASA District.
Sparks and his wife Michele also proudly have two children attending Elk City Public Schools.
“This job was a hard one to turn down,” Sparks admitted. “You couldn’t ask for a better place to raise your own kids.”
