District Administration

A Message from the Superintendent

Dear Shawnee Families,

What an honor it is for me to serve as the superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools. This district has a long and proud tradition of success, and I am grateful our Board of Education has entrusted me to lead our schools. My goal as your superintendent is to earn your trust every day.

I understand that families are making a choice to send their children to Shawnee Public Schools, and I will honor and respect that choice. I look forward to serving a community that has given me so much over the years, and I am excited to work with the entire community to do what is best for students, staff and families.

Not only am I an employee of Shawnee Public Schools, I am also a parent. My family's decision to move to Shawnee means that my own children will be learning and growing alongside your students. I know Shawnee is the community I want my family to call home.

Thank you for the privilege of serving you and this community as your superintendent. I look forward to working with all of you to make Shawnee Public Schools a place everyone wants to call home.

Sincerely,

Dr. Aaron Espolt, Superintendent

Dr. Aaron Espolt began serving as Shawnee Public Schools superintendent in 2023-2024. Serving in Shawnee Public Schools has been a homecoming for him. He grew up near Shawnee and spent time as a teenager working for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. He also received his bachelor’s degree from St. Gregory’s University.

Dr. Espolt has 20 years of service in education, including 12 years of superintendent and administration experience. He earned his master’s degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and his doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.

In 2015, the Oklahoma State Department of Education awarded Dr. Espolt the Financial Excellence Award. Before coming to Shawnee Public Schools in 2021 as an assistant superintendent and chief financial officer, he was the executive director of school design and innovation for the Oklahoma State Department of Education. He has earned the prestigious National Superintendent Certification through AASA, The School Superintendents Association. He also holds national certification in school crisis prevention and intervention.

Dr. Teresa Wilkerson, assistant superintendent of human resources, has served Shawnee Public Schools since 2019. Her public education career spans 35 years, including 14 years as a classroom teacher before beginning her years of services as a building- and district-level administrator.

Dr. Wilkerson has a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in educational administration, curriculum, and supervision. She also serves as an adjunct professor preparing future school administrators and educational leaders.

Dr. Wilkerson is a member of several professional educator organizations and has earned a number of awards, including an OASSP Service Award in 2015 and a Teacher of the Year school award in 1993.

Allyson Cleveland, Director of Special Services

Allyson Cleveland has served Shawnee Public Schools since 2011. Before she became the director of academic services and federal programs, she taught English language arts at Shawnee Middle School and served as a curriculum coordinator for the district.

Ms. Cleveland has a bachelor's degree from Louisiana Christian University and a master's degree from East Central University. She has worked in public education for more than 20 years and is a National Board certified teacher.

Jackie Noble, Director of Elementary Education

Jackie Noble, director of elementary education, has served Shawnee Public Schools for 29 years. She has experience as a classroom teacher and administrator, and she has worked in Oklahoma public schools for 31 years.

Ms. Noble earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Oklahoma Baptist University and her master's degree in educational administration from East Central University. She and her husband are both educators, and her children are Shawnee alumni.

Michelle Wallace, Counseling and Community Engagement Coordinator

A Shawnee High School alum and longtime resident of Shawnee, Michelle Wallace serves as the counseling and community engagement coordinator for Shawnee Public Schools.

Ms. Wallace received her bachelor's in business administration degree in accounting from the University of Oklahoma. She completed her elementary education certification from the University of Central Oklahoma and her master's in school counseling from East Central University. She has served in education for 30 years, 26 years with Shawnee Public Schools.