Guthrie Board of Education Names Charter Oak Principal and Completes GHS Administrative Staff

The Guthrie Public Schools Board of Education named a new Principal at Charter Oak Elementary and completed the administrative appointments at Guthrie High School. Emily Carpenter will be the new principal at Charter Oak Elementary. Guthrie High School will welcome Jeanne Ambriz as Assistant Principal and Justin Stevens was named Dean of Students.

Emily Carpenter has been an Assistant Principal at Guthrie Upper Elementary School for the past four years. She takes over for Jeff Ball who was recently named the Principal of the Upper Elementary School. Prior to serving her current administrative role for GPS, Carpenter held various roles as a classroom teacher, Interventionist and Instructional Coach since joining the district in 2005. Carpenter began her career in education as a classroom teacher in Terrell, TX in 2003. She and her husband, John, have three children who attend GPS.

Jeanne Ambriz comes to GHS from Oklahoma City Public Schools where she is currently the Principal of John Marshall Enterprise High School. Prior to her four year tenure at John Marshall, she was a classroom teacher, Instructional Coach and Assistant Principal at Centennial Mid-High for OKCPS starting in 2015. Ambriz began her career in education as a classroom teacher at San Ysidro High School in San Diego, CA, and is finishing her twelfth year in education. She and her husband, Paul, reside in Guthrie where their two children attend GPS.

Justin Stevens started his career in education at GHS in 2010. During that time he has served various roles as a classroom teacher, department head and virtual learning coordinator. Stevens also served as the Head Wrestling Coach from 2012-2019. Stevens is scheduled to complete his full administrative certification in December. He and his wife, Andrea, have four children who attend GPS.

Quotes from Guthrie Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mike Simpson: “I’m excited about what these three outstanding individuals will bring to their new roles at GPS. Ms. Carpenter and Mr. Stevens have dedicated most of their career to our district and understand our culture as well as some of our challenges. Ms. Ambriz brings new ideas related to school improvement initiatives along with experience working with families of many cultures.”