KIPP Oklahoma Leadership

MaDonna Arnold is the new Director of STEM for KIPP Oklahoma. She has 23 years’ experience in education, the last 14 being at KIPP Tulsa as a math/science teacher and instructional coach. Her love of all things STEM drives her to continue to build excellent programs that ensure students will not only succeed but love those subjects as well. With the love and support of her husband and three children, MaDonna graduated from the University of Tulsa. In her free time, MaDonna loves to craft, kayak, bowl, and spend time with her two grandsons.

Dr. Charlotte Carter, a native Tulsan, is a lifelong learner who believes education is the great equalizer in our society joins us as Chief Operating Officer. As a seasoned results-driven leader with 33 years of experience, she builds coalitions and teams to drive organizational effectiveness and initiatives to change the world for students. Her leadership philosophy is excellence, establishing trust, setting the example, and positive customer experiences. These principles guide her work ethic, decision-making, and problem-solving. Dr. Carter is also a cycling enthusiast; her longest ride to date is 43 miles.

Michael Carter, Jr. is an educator, musician and community organizer. Originally from Springfield, Massachusetts, Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and African American Studies from Northeastern University. Michael aspired to become a lawyer, but during his two-term internship with former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Michael discovered a passion for young people, education, and community. Michael then went on to earn a master’s degree in education from Smith College. After graduating, Michael served as a founding teacher for a charter school in his hometown, before moving to Oklahoma City where he worked as a reading teacher at KIPP. Michael transitioned to the nonprofit sector, briefly, where he traveled the country working in rural and urban communities on social justice issues. He later returned to traditional education as the assistant principal and then school leader of Greenwood Leadership Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is now excited to serve as the school leader of KIPP OKC College Prep.

KIPP Tulsa College Prep’s (KTCP) school leader, Tiffany Corbbrey, is responsible for driving the school’s academic results and culture, while also increasing parental engagement. The former School-Leader-in-Residence at KTCP, Mrs. Corbrrey has served in many positions at KIPP including Assistant School Leader and 7th-grade science teacher. She was also a site director and instructional coach at Community Action Project. Mrs. Corbbrey received her BS in Elementary Education and M.Ed. in Urban Education from Langston University and is currently a doctoral candidate at Southern Nazarene University.

Tara Hall has been involved in nonprofit development for many years. Before becoming the Chief of Staff for KIPP Oklahoma, she was the Development Director of KIPP OKC for 7 school years. As Chief of Staff, Tara oversees KIPP Forward, external relations, communications, development, talent recruitment. She strives to be a servant leader and keep the guiding principles of listening, empathy, healing and self-awareness centered in her work. She believes everyone on the team brings unique skills and values that should be lifted up and nurtured for growth. Tara is currently challenging herself to learn Spanish alongside her five-year-old daughter who attends a dual language immersion school.

Born and raised in north Tulsa, KIPP OKC Public Schools and KIPP Tulsa Public Charter Schools’ Executive Director Darius Kirk began his education career as a teacher at East Central High School in Tulsa Public Schools and original founding teacher at KIPP Tulsa College Prep. He later worked as a Principal at KIPP, Lewis and Clark Middle School, McLain Senior High School, and Riverview Gardens High School (St. Louis, Missouri). He also served as Managing Director of Schools at KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools. Darius serves the community as a mentor through Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and other programs. Additionally, he sits on the board of the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice.

KIPP Tulsa University Prep’s school leader, Donterrio Marzett, is responsible for the implementation of all aspects of this charter and for the day-today operations and management of the school. The former KIPP Tulsa College Prep Middle School school leader, Mr. Marzett has served in many positions at KIPP including Assistant Principal and Band / Music Instructor. Mr. Marzett received his BA in Music Education from Langston University and M.Ed. in Education Administration from the University of Oklahoma. Born and raised in north Tulsa, Mr. Marzett continues to reside in the community with his wife and son.

Damien Myers is the Chief Academic Officer for KIPP Oklahoma. Damien has a long history with the KIPP team and family. Most recently, he served as the School Leader at KIPP Delta Collegiate High School in Helena, Arkansas. He has taught science at KIPP St. Louis High School and KIPP Blytheville Collegiate High School in Blytheville, Arkansas. He was named KIPP Delta Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Mr. Myers graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in biomedical science and a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry. Mr. Myers also studied studie human molecular genetics at Howard University. Mr. Myers lives in Oklahoma City and his three children with his wife, Trichina.

Melissa Olgine, Director of Literacy, started with KIPP OKC as a 5th-grade reading teacher in 2013. Since then she has taught 5th through 8th ELA, completed 4 years as an instructional coach and assistant principal, and loved every moment of it. For the past 10 years she has served at KIPP because every day she sees the hard working students, families, and staff of this organization “prove the possible”. Her mission is to improve literacy practices across the region so that students can lead choice-filled lives.

KIPP Oklahoma’s new Director of Student Support Services, Andrea Walker is a native of Oklahoma City and proud graduate of Douglass High School. She obtained her degree in Special Education from Langston University. In 2006, she was the first Student Support Teacher at KIPP Tulsa. Since then she has served as Student Support Coordinator, Assistant Principal, and Regional Student Support Manager. Andrea is beginning her 24th year in education and continues to be committed to providing a high-quality education to all students. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Higher Education Leadership with plans to complete in May 2023. She is the proud mother of two sons, O.C., III and Aiden.