About Us

Elton Sykes
Interim Principal
sykesel@tulsaschools.org

Originally from Chicago, Elton Sykes graduated from Tufts University with an undergraduate degree in political science and was accepted into the Teach for America program. Teach for America selects applicants nationwide to serve in a highly acclaimed national service corps where applicants commit to teach for two years in an under-resourced urban region to help close the educational gap. Teach for America sent Mr. Sykes to complete his two years of service at McLain High School in Tulsa. Elton taught English for four years at McLain and also served the Dean of Students. He fell in love with the profession at McLain and decided to pursue a career in administration. During this time, Mr. Sykes graduated from the University of Oklahoma with his master’s in education administration curriculum and supervision. He was then promoted to be an assistant principal at Memorial High School in 2013 and also served as an assistant principal at Booker T. Washington High School from 2015 - 2017. Mr. Sykes served as principal of George Washington Carver Middle School from 2017 to 2024. Mr. Sykes has a strong belief that an education can change one’s life trajectory and he wants to ensure that every child receives a quality education no matter what they look like or where they live. 

Evan Anderson
Assistant Principal
anderev@tulsaschools.org

Before Tulsa Public Schools and Hale, AP Anderson served as a School Climate Specialist, Assistant Principal, and taught both English Language Arts and World History with Oklahoma City Public Schools. Originally from Kentucky, AP Anderson is a graduate of the College of Charleston in South Carolina and received master’s degrees from both Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Oklahoma. Outside of Hale, AP Anderson spends the rest of his time with his wife and son, at the gym, or cheering on the Bengals and the University of Kentucky!

Kari Garman
Assistant Principal
garmaka@tulsaschools.org

Kari Garman is a proud educator of over 25 years, having started her career as an English teacher. She has taught grades 6 -12 in Language Arts, spent 3 years as an instructional coach for TPS, and 1 year as a dean before becoming an administrator. She feels very fortunate to have been a teacher, dean, and now administrator for Hale HS. She has two nephews she’s helping to raise and considers them the light of her life. Student success and well-being are at the forefront of all her decisions, and she lives by the mantra, “what is best for kids is not always easiest for adults.”

Lauryn Baxley
Assistant Principal
baxlela@tulsaschools.org​​​​​​​

Nathan Hale High School opened in 1959 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1958, the Apache Drive-In cinema opened and the Gilcrease Foundation conveyed the Gilcrease Museum to the city. Two years later in 1960, Saint Francis Hospital opened.

In 2009, Nathan Hale began a program which today offers digital media and culinary magnet programs.

The success of Nathan's Cafe (established 2010) from the culinary magnet program continues to this day. The restaurant is open to the public once a week.

Hale's 1st yearbook cover, 1960 

Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755- September 22, 1776) was an American spy during the American Revolutionary War for the Continental Army. He was elected first lieutenant within five months.

Under General Washington, he was the only soldier to volunteer to go behind enemy lines to determine the location of the British invasion on the island of Manhattan.

He was captured and executed by the British while on the intelligence gathering mission in New York City. Prior to his hanging, his composure and patriotism were noted. It is believed that he uttered the following famous phrase before his death.
 

I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.  

In 1985, he was officially designated the state hero of Connecticut.

Gary Busey playing football
As a Hale Ranger