About Us
At a glance
Burroughs elementary
1924 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Tulsa, OK 74106
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Phone: 918-833-8780
Principal: Dee Tisdale
Mission & Vision
At Burroughs, we believe that while navigating the world with education, anything is possible. We create a fun and safe learning environment where students can discover their passions and apply skills that will navigate them through the world!
STEM Programming
Thanks to the support of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and Devon Energy, every elementary school has a new STEM center where students can participate in fun and engaging hands-on learning activities - including computer coding!
Stability and Consistency
Located just two miles north of downtown Tulsa, Burroughs Elementary has a long and proud history in the community. We were the first school to embrace integration, and we continue to focus on ensuring we provide a safe, joyful, and welcoming environment for our students and families. This commitment has led to consistency in systems that drive success as well as a staff of teachers who go above and beyond for the students at Burroughs. Whether they are finding time to learn from each other, volunteering on the weekends or perfecting their leadership skills, teachers at Burroughs are always looking for ways to bring new ideas and ways of learning to our students.
Strong Community Connections
In addition to the standard academic curriculum, our school offers leadership training and community service opportunities to sixth grade students. Students work with an active member of the local community to select a non-profit organization and implement community service projects that help raise money. This program is a powerful way for students to give back to a community that so generously supports our school.
Bobcat Pride
Bobcat Pride
Song
Creed
I am a Burroughs Elementary School student.
I have great expectations for myself.
I accept the challenge to become the best that I can be.
Yesterday's failures are behind me.
Today's successes are now before me.
I will make today the very best day of all, for this day begins the rest of my life.
I accept the responsibility for my behavior and it's results.
I do not have the right to interfere with the learning and well being of others.
With my family and teachers,
I will determine what I will become,
For the education I receive today will make me a leader of tomorrow.
Chant
Teacher Creed
I am a teacher. I accept the challenge to be sagacious
and tenacious in teaching every student because I believe that every child can learn. I accept the responsibility to create a learning environment conducive to optimum achievement, academically, socially, and emotionally. I actively pursue excellence, for myself and for my students. I provide a model of decorum and respect that guides my students as well as honors them. I affirm superlative expectations for my students and myself. I cherish every child. I am a teacher. I change the world, one student at a time.
History
Biography
John Burroughs (1837-1921) was an essayist born in Roxbury, New York. Burroughs was a naturalist who aligned closely with the lifestyle and writing of Henry David Thoreau. His joy was studying and celebrating nature. In addition to writing, Burroughs’ career pathway led him on a journey that included teaching, farming, working at the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C., and nearly 50 years of writing about nature. Although he maintained his love for nature, Burroughs’ later writing became more philosophical in direction.
His love of all things nature predisposed him to the joy of exploring the country and abroad, and he spent time camping with friends with similar interests in nature such as John Muir and Walt Whitman. Burroughs supported a healthy relationship between people and the land. His personality led him to form friendships with powerful figures, including Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, and Henry Firestone. Burroughs’ sense of adventure and passion for exploring even propelled him to participate in an Alaskan expedition.
Key Contributions
In addition to his writing and celebration of nature, Burroughs continues to be honored by organizations and foundations that promote education, support nature conservancy efforts, and encourage writing about natural science.
Tulsa’s connection to conservation efforts, reverence for nature, and alignment with educational opportunities that promote expression through writing is consistent with the work of John Burroughs.
Writers, educators, and nature advocates continue to enjoy the many contributions of John Burroughs and support efforts in alignment with his beliefs. Some literary critics, however, challenged his fidelity to nature in his writing and some individuals alleged the affair during his marriage and (subsequent birth of son from this relationship) reflected poorly on his character.
Relevant Historical Context
The school was named in 1927. Aligning with Burroughs was consistent with the promotion of awareness that there should be healthy relationships between people and the land.
References
American Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). John Burroughs.
John Burroughs. (2014, February 09). John Burroughs.
John Burroughs Natural History Society (n.d.). Retrieved from http://jbnhs.org/
John Burroughs. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://ecotopia.org/ecology-hall-of-fame/john-burroughs/
Walker, C. Z. (2000). Sharp eyes: John Burroughs and American nature writing. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse Univ. Press.
Leadership
Principal Tisdale has found joy and excitement in her work at Tulsa Public Schools since she started in 1994. She is a product of the Tulsa Public School family. She earned her undergraduate degree from Langston University and successfully completed her Master’s from Oklahoma State University. She spent her entry years of teaching at Burroughs Elementary, yes, you’re reading this right, because she has come full circle to now being one of the building leaders. Mrs. Tisdale enjoys the juxtaposition of an assistant principal because she has equal opportunities to be impactful to scholars and faculty alike. She welcomes the conversations of the young people so that she can keep a pulse of avenues that are important to them. When not engaged or entrenched in areas of academia, Mrs. Tisdale can be found at her local gym.
Dee Tisdale
Principal
tisdade@tulsaschools.org