Board of Directors

“The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.”​

C.S. LEWIS

Building a Community to Build a School

A small group of Oklahoma moms and dads have been working diligently for almost three years to bring public tuition-free classical education to Oklahoma. In the process many others have come along side them–prospective parents, teachers, and folks who just want to see something like this happen in Oklahoma. Over time that small group has grown into a community of like-minded families. These families want something different and yes, better, for their kid’s education and they’re willing to work for it.

 

Construction is underway on a 50,000 square foot school building nestled among 15 picturesque acres at 9801 S. Sheridan. It will be complete in August of 2023 and open to K-8 students. The project has been funded via the proceeds of tax-free municipal bonds issued via the Tulsa County Industrial Authority. The school will, therefore, pay a lease to its school foundation on the facility. The capital campaign is designed to pay off principal and lower the school’s lease payment so that a smaller percentage of revenue goes to facilities. This pays off long term because every dollar of principle we pay now is a dollar that goes into the

 

Nathan Phelps, President

Nathan spent the first half of his professional life in the software business in a variety of roles including co-founding a healthcare technology venture in 2009. Nathan then discovered a passion for classical education after seeing the fruit of his own children’s education and intends to dedicate the second half of his life to the cause of expanding access to classical education. He has a Bachelor of Music Education from Texas Christian University and is currently pursuing a Master of Humanities in the Classical Education program at the University of Dallas.

 

The Tulsa Classical Academy 2023-24 application is available in English and Spanish. Applications will be accepted through January 15, 2023, at 11:00 PM for students who are applying for seats in kindergarten through eighth grade. If there are more applicants than seats available in a given grade, we will run a lottery as required by Oklahoma law. If required, the lottery will be conducted on February 1, 2023.

Julie James, Secretary

Julie is the mother of five children, a real estate agent, and a member of a prominent, family-owned, commercial real estate agency. Julie is a third-generation Tulsan, a graduate of Jenks High School and has a Bachelor of Sociology from Baylor University.

 

The Tulsa Classical Academy 2023-24 application is available in English and Spanish. Applications will be accepted through January 15, 2023, at 11:00 PM for students who are applying for seats in kindergarten through eighth grade. If there are more applicants than seats available in a given grade, we will run a lottery as required by Oklahoma law. If required, the lottery will be conducted on February 1, 2023.

Michael Bates, Member

Michael is a well-known writer focused on local issues and historic preservation who is frequently featured on local radio and has a substantial following on social media. Michael has a Bachelor of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is an engineer with a true appreciation for the liberal arts and a long-standing commitment to classical education. While at MIT, he developed a dual-major program so that he could study Latin and Ancient Greek alongside Computer Science. He has three children, all of whom were educated classically.

Andrea Hogue, Member

Andrea “Dree” Hogue is wife to Chris, and mom to Ashton (21), Noelle (16), and James (8). Chris and Dree started their life together in Tulsa, OK, and boomeranged back to Tulsa after a few years of adventures in church planting and ministry in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Although her focus has always been primarily around her own household, she has been given professional opportunities that include founding a local classical homeschool academic program, fundraising for a private Christian school, grant writing, researching and editing for book projects, serving on staff at her local church, and now working for a non-profit. She believes that healthy families are a powerful force of change for our communities and enjoys opportunities to cheer them on towards health and wholeness.

Adam Jones, Member

Adam is Deputy District Director for Congressman Kevin Hern. He is the recipient of a classical education himself, having graduated from Agustine Christian Academy–Tulsa’s first classical school. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Arts from Liberty University.

Molly Mooberry, Member

Molly and her husband, Philip, both grew up in Tulsa.  She graduated from Jenks High School and then received a Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University.  Molly worked in pharmaceutical sales for 8 years before pursuing her greatest joy—raising a family.  Classical education has been foundational in the lives of their four children and as a result, her interest and passion for classical education has grown.  She also enjoys opportunities in leadership and volunteering in the school setting, in women’s ministry and through civic engagement.

Jonathan Wielenga, Member

Jon is a client advisor at Gibraltar Capital where he provides investment and estate planning services. Prior to relocating to Tulsa in 2020, he lived in New York City where he was a Vice President at JPMorgan Chase. He holds an undergraduate degree in Mathematics Secondary Education as well as a law degree and an MBA from Baylor University. He is married with a son and considers it a great honor to play a role in bringing tuition-free classical education to Oklahoma.

Classically Formed Foundation

The Classically Formed Foundation is a Type I supporting organization dedicated to supporting Tulsa Classical Academy. Visit classicallyformed.org for more information.