Stillwater Public Schools Names Janet Vinson as New Human Resources Director

(Stillwater, Oklahoma) Stillwater Public Schools Board of Education approved Dr. Janet Vinson as the Director of Human Resources at a special August 29 meeting. The previous Director Bo Gamble has transitioned to Assistant Superintendent of Operations for SPS.

Vinson has been an educator for 31years, having served as a classroom teacher, an assistant principal, an associate superintendent of instruction, and as Superintendent of Broken Arrow Public Schools from 2017 to 2022. She has most recently served as Deputy Superintendent of Teacher Recruitment and Retention at the Oklahoma State Department of Education. She holds three degrees from Oklahoma State University - a bachelor’s in English education, a master’s in school leadership, and a doctorate in social foundations and curriculum leadership.

 

“There’s a really exciting energy around the community, the schools, and the future of Stillwater, and I’m looking forward to becoming a part of it,” says Vinson. “Uwe Gordon is building a great leadership team, and the proximity of a major research university, a quality career tech center, and a community that values education make it a gold mine of talent for an HR team.”

 

“The teacher shortage has made it clear that we must work through multiple partnerships with our higher education partners to build effective teacher education pathways,” says Vinson. “And an important piece of that is supporting the staff we have now and ensuring Stillwater remains a destination employer for teachers. I’m looking forward to getting into the role and the district to figure out how I can best help SPS grow.” 

 

Vinson says Stillwater feels like a second home, “I’ve spent a lot of time in Stillwater, through my degrees, events at OSU, and family connections,” she says. Dr. Vinson’s husband Matthew is a Stillwater High School graduate, and 20 year veteran of the Navy. Together they have three children - a son working to become a social studies teacher, a daughter in cosmetology school, and another son, soon to become a freshman Stillwater Pioneer.

 

“We had an excellent pool of applicants for this position,” says Superintendent Uwe Gordon, “but the experience and contacts that Janet brings with her will greatly benefit the district. I am confident that she will be a wonderful resource in not only teacher recruitment and retention,  but support staff.”

 

Vinson will assume her duties in mid September.