About Us

I was born in Kansas and lived in Texas, but have lived in Oklahoma since I was 9, first Norman, then Tulsa when I was 11. 

I graduated from Union High School. I was the first generation of my family to graduate college. I thought I’d go to OU, but was offered a full ride at the University of Tulsa, half academic and half music, so that’s where I went! I started out in music, then journalism, then earned my BA in political science to make the best use of all those credit hours. At that point, I was planning on law school. My dad died before I graduated, so I stayed at TU to earn my JD. I also have completed coursework at OU for an Ed.D.

I practiced as a Legal Aid attorney in rural northeast Oklahoma for about three years. I was a visiting instructor at the University of Tulsa Legal Clinic, which I also did during the summers after I entered common-ed. I remember sitting at my clinic desk thinking, “I really want to teach kids to think and to write.” That led me to teach at Tulsa Community College as an adjunct in government and in English composition, and to Broken Arrow Public Schools, where I started teaching gifted students and later English literature and language at Sequoyah Middle School. I came to Tulsa Public Schools teaching English I, AP Language and Composition, Contemporary Lit, and Humanities at Booker T. Washington High School, and then moved into leadership. I was assistant principal at Carver Middle School and Memorial High School and led the curriculum and instruction team, which is where I got immersed in early childhood and elementary teaching and learning. I currently serve as principal at Grissom. It’s been challenging and rewarding, and transformational. There is no place like it, and there are no people like our team, kids, and families at Grissom.

While at Sequoyah, I was Broken Arrow’s District Teacher of the Year, and a finalist for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year. That was very cool, amazing, and humbling. I was a participant in a two-year national conference of principals sponsored by the Wallace Foundation and the national principal associations. I presented at the National Principals’ Conference. I’ve been president of the Tulsa Association of Elementary School Principals; I value the faith placed in me by my colleagues. I’m always proud and pleased when I facilitate learning and people respond positively, whether it’s kids or professionals.

I’m proud of trusting relationships I have with Grissom kids and families. I’m very proud that our school is about the arts, fitness, and social-emotional well-being for everyone every day. I’m most proud of the team we have at Grissom. They are the most student-centered people I know. They bring themselves wholeheartedly to the work, not just teachers but all of the team. We make a point to care about one another. I’m proud that from 2017-2018 to 2018-2019, not one staff member left, certified or non-certified. In 20+ years of education, I’d never seen that happen.

Brent Rowland
Principal
918-833-9460
rowlabr2@tulsaschools.org

Virgil “Gus” Grissom (1926-1967)

Grissom Elementary opened in 1969, named after American astronaut Virgil “Gus” Grissom. Grissom was an Air Force pilot and Lieutenant Colonel who flew 100 missions during the Korean Conflict. He earned two bachelor’s degrees. Grissom piloted the second Project Mercury mission, America’s second manned spacecraft. He also piloted the Gemini 3, which made him the first American astronaut to fly into space twice. 

Grissom then became the Command Pilot for Apollo 1, the first of the manned Apollo missions. The command module caught fire during a pre-flight test, and all three men on board, including Grissom, were killed. He left his wife Betty and his sons Scott and Mark. Among his many honors, Grissom was awarded the Master Astronaut badge, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Distinguished Service Medal.

The value that Col. Grissom placed on education, physical development, service, character, and family, serve as a model from which all of us can learn.

Learning. Our greatest challenges and our greatest successes are found in igniting students’ curiosity and fueling their passion for creativity. Learning is the priority of our school, and students’ learning and well-being are the primary focus for all decisions implemented by the school.

Being the Change. We are the difference-makers in the lives of children and families, and the change agents of their world and ours. We are the dream-builders that bridge children’s dreams and their present and future realities. We are role models who teach children, parents, and community members more by our choices and actions than by any other means.

Relationships. We all need to feel respected, appreciated, loved, and cared-for. Our connections with one another in no small part make us who we are. We will foster and nurture them.

A Positive Environment. Children thrive in environments that are active and engaging, safe and fair, with clear and consistent expectations. We all do.

High Expectations with Abundant Support. Individual potential is best developed when expectations for high levels of achievement are combined with targeted, scaffolded support. We set the mark high for each individual, we help each reach it, and we celebrate his or her success.

The Potential and Possibility of Each Child. It is our duty and joy to find and enhance how each one can shine. We cannot give up on any child.

Individual Diversity. Each of us can learn and does learn, though not in the same way or at the same pace.  The unique physical, emotional, intellectual, and social qualities of each individual are valuable assets to our school.

Strength of Character. The quality of our relationships, our relationships to each other and even our relationship to self, depends on the quality of our character. Trust and respect are diminished in its absence.  Knowledge and achievement are hollow without it.

Accountability. Because we are equal in our importance and our value, we are each accountable to one another, no matter who we are, how big or small. We all make mistakes; we will be honest about them, will learn what we can from them, and will move past them together.

The Collaboration of Team and of Community. We support one another in helping each individual reach her or his full potential.  When we have exhausted our educational or emotional resources, our team is here to assist and encourage us. We find in our team and in the community what we need to take the next step.

Here’s to Grissom School,
With colors blue and gold.

Here’s to Grissom School,
With pride to behold.

Like an astronaut,
We soar so high.

We are proud our flag to fly.

We love Grissom,
Gold and Blue.

We love Grissom, 
So will you.

Oh, we’ll follow, 
Loyal and True,
The Gold and Blue.

I am a Grissom Star.

I am Safe.

I contribute with Teamwork.

I am mindful of my Attitude.

I am Respectful. 

I am Responsible.

I am a Grissom Star.