Impactful Women of the 918: Ebony Johnson

As an elementary school student, Dr. Ebony Johnson carried a briefcase to school because she took learning that seriously. Today, as superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, she hopes every student discovers that same sense of possibility.

Johnson began her career as a classroom teacher in 1999 and went on to serve as a principal, executive director, chief academic officer and, ultimately, superintendent of Oklahoma’s largest school district. A Tulsa native and McLain High School graduate, she says her own teachers shaped not only what she learned, but who she became.

“They believed in me and instilled in me a confidence that I could lead and make a difference,” Johnson says. “I know firsthand what it means for a student to walk into a building and feel like someone is invested in their future.”

One of the most meaningful moments of her career came when her son and daughter both graduated from Tulsa Public Schools. Watching them walk across the stage was meaningful not only as a mother, but as someone who has dedicated her career to helping every Tulsa student succeed.

“I hope every student leaves us believing that where they started is not where they have to stay,” Johnson says. “Their zip code, their last name, their circumstances—none of that defines their ceiling.”

Q&A with Ebony Johnson

Can you tell us about your career journey and what led you to become superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools?

I began my career as a classroom teacher at Monroe Middle School in 1999. From there, I served as a school leader at Academy Central Elementary, Central Junior High, Central High School and McLain High School. Between starting as a classroom teacher and 2011, I earned a Master of Education from Northeastern State University and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Oklahoma — which challenged my thinking and shaped my approach to school improvement.

In 2017, I stepped into the role of executive director of Student and Family Support Services, and in 2020, I became chief academic officer. In 2023, I was named interim superintendent, and the interim tag was removed later that year. I’d be lying if I told you that in 1999 I envisioned becoming the superintendent of the largest public school district in Oklahoma, but I’ve always loved Tulsa — I’m a born-and-raised Tulsan — and education has long been a passion and a way to serve my community and the people in it. It’s been quite a journey to get to this point, but I’m grateful for the experiences I’ve had and the opportunity to serve my city and community in this role.

What did school mean to you growing up, and how has that shaped the way you lead Tulsa Public Schools today?

School has always been the prism through which I view life: As an elementary student, I carried a briefcase to school. Seriously, I was that person. So I’ve always taken school seriously and viewed it as a way to better myself and my community.

I loved the structure, the sense that every day was building toward something, and most of all, I loved my teachers. The elementary school teachers I had didn’t just teach me to read and do math — though they certainly did teach me that, too — they also taught me to treat people with respect, dignity and compassion. They believed in me and instilled in me a confidence that I could lead and make a difference.

That shaped who I am and why I not only do what I do — but why I love what I do. I know firsthand what it means for a student to walk into a building and feel like someone is invested in their future. That’s the standard I hold Tulsa Public Schools to every single day. When I think about little briefcase-carrying Ebony, I think about our students across the district and the many opportunities we can offer them today. It makes me hopeful for the future of Tulsa, and I’m optimistic that we’re instilling those same values and beliefs once passed down to me into the next generation of students.

What has been one of the most meaningful or rewarding moments in your career?

This is an easy one: Seeing my children graduate from Tulsa Public Schools takes the cake. Hands down. I have a son who graduated from Rogers and a daughter who graduated from Booker T. Washington — both of whom are now at Baylor. It was a full-circle moment for me, a McLain graduate, to see my kids also walk the stage and earn degrees from Tulsa Public Schools. What made it even more meaningful was knowing I got to play a role in that moment twice over — once as their mom and once as a TPS employee working to make the district the kind of place where every family, mine included, could watch their kids succeed.

What accomplishment or initiative are you most proud of during your time with Tulsa Public Schools?

Passing the 2026 bond is at the top of my list. I can still recall where I was as our team watched the results flood in, with all four propositions ultimately passing by more than 80%. It was gratifying to feel the support and belief of Tulsa in what we are building, for starters. But most of all, it made me proud — and even emotional — because it meant doors to better facilities, better technology for our students and enhanced opportunities for learning. For Tulsans to say our students were worth the investment was gratifying and made me feel an overwhelming sense of pride in my city and the future of education.

What do you hope every Tulsa Public Schools student knows or believes about themselves by the time they graduate?

I hope every student leaves us believing that where they started is not where they have to stay. I want them to know that their ZIP code, their last name, their circumstances — none of that, and no one but them, defines their ceiling.

I also hope they leave knowing they were seen. We want TPS to be a place people can feel like they were seen and heard — a place to call home. We want it to be a place where they can point to memories, to relationships, to where they can point to their own briefcase origin story about where it all started.

Outside of your role as superintendent, are there organizations, volunteer work or community causes that are especially meaningful to you?

My faith and my church community mean a great deal to me. They ground me and give me necessary perspective, especially on harder days. I’ve always felt a call to serve and to lead with compassion and empathy, and my core values and beliefs help guide who I am as a person and leader to model for others.

Anything you want to share about your family, hobbies or interests?

I could write a novel about how much I love my family! We’re very close-knit, and if you know us, you know that closeness is in no small part because of our shared love of basketball. My daughter Marcayla is a sophomore basketball player at Baylor, so we’re very involved in her success and rarely miss a chance to root her on. I’m really proud of my son Marcal Jr., who is a graduate assistant for Baylor women’s basketball and graduates with his master’s in sports management in May. We’re also huge Thunder fans, so we spend a lot of time together rooting on SGA and OKC.