• Headshot of Dr. McDaniel

Dr. Sean McDaniel

  • Contact:
    Dr. Sean McDaniel
    superintendent@okcps.org

    Executive Assistant
    Sandy Brown
    (405) 587-0448

    Media Requests 
    Please call OKCPS Communications
    (405) 587-NEWS

    Office Location
    615 N Classen; Oklahoma City, OK 73106

Words of Support

  • “Education is the most important issue facing our city and we need our entire community working together to meet the challenge.  In the months ahead, I look forward to working with Sean, the school board, the entire team at OKCPS, as well as the community at large to cast a vision for the future of public education in OKC.”

    - Mayor David Holt, City of Oklahoma City

     

    "I have known Sean McDaniel for several years and am so pleased that OKCPS has employed him to be their Superintendent of Schools. I know full well how challenging the Urban Superintendents position is and believe Dr. McDaniel is eminently qualified to carry out those duties. He has had a highly successful career as an educator and superintendent and he understands what it takes to meet the needs of the students, the employees, and the community. He is a people person who will build great relationships internally and externally and will be a great spokesperson for OKCPS."

    - Keith Ballard, Retired Superintendent, Tulsa Public Schools

     

    “Congratulations to the school board for a selecting a leader who is well matched for the Oklahoma City Public Schools.  Sean’s experience in Oklahoma and Colorado as a teacher and superintendent—combined with support from the community—can be the catalyst for improved education outcomes for students and the district.”

    - Dave Lopez, Retired Business Executive and Former Interim Superintendent, OKCPS

     

    "Sean McDaniel has been well respected and effective as the Superintendent of Mustang Public Schools.  The Oklahoma City Public School District will benefit from his ability to work together with faculty, parents, and community for a common goal; a stronger system of education for students."

    - Representative Leslie Osborn

     

    “Sean McDaniel has a history of leadership and building strong relationships,” Mélon said. “The Foundation looks forward to working hand-in-hand with Superintendent McDaniel to provide continued support for our students, administrators and teachers.”

    - Mary Mélon, President and CEO, Foundation for OKCPS

     

     

About Dr. Sean McDaniel

  • With more than three decades of experience in education, Dr. Sean McDaniel was named Superintendent of Schools for Oklahoma City Public Schools in July 2018. 

    McDaniel began his career in education as a language arts instructor at Denver’s Highland High School from 1986-1988. He has served in several teaching, coaching and administrative capacities in both Colorado and Oklahoma. A proud graduate of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Dr. McDaniel went on to earn his master's degree in educational administration from NSU and his doctorate in educational leadership from Oklahoma State University. This year marks his 37th year in education and his 21st as a district superintendent.

    Dr. McDaniel is highly respected by his peers across the state and was named 2018 Oklahoma Superintendent of the Year by CCOSA. His knowledge and expertise are recognized at the state level, where he has served on the governor’s education advisory board, the state superintendent’s advisory council and on the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association’s board of directors. In 2022 Dr. McDaniel was named a finalist for the Green-Garner Award, which recognizes the nation's top urban superintendent.

    Sean and his wife, Traci, have two children: Erin and Mac. Erin resides in Coweta with her husband, Jeff, and their son, Russell, and his little sister, Mila. Mac is a recent graduate of University of Tulsa, and Sean’s wife, Traci, is a real estate agent and teaches private piano and vocal lessons.

Summary of Experience, Qualifications and Recognitions

  • EDUCATION AND SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

    • Earned Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Oklahoma State University, 2014)
    • Master of Education degree in Secondary Administration (Northeastern State University, 1997)
    • Oklahoma Secondary Principal’s Certification
    • Oklahoma/Colorado Superintendent’s Certification
    • 36 Years of experience in education; public and private
    • 29 Years Administrative experience
    • 21 School Years Superintendent experience

     

    EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

    • Superintendent - Oklahoma City Public Schools, 2018-Current
      • District population of 34,000 students and approximately 5,000 employees
    • Superintendent - Mustang Public Schools, 2012 – 2018
      • 6A school district with a population of over 11,500 students, and over 1300 employees
    • Superintendent - Edmond Deer Creek Public Schools, 2010 – 2012
      • 5A school district with a population of over 4,000 students, and over 450 employees
    • Superintendent - Englewood Public Schools, 2008 – 2010
      • 3A school district with a population of over 3,300 students, and over 450 employees
    • Superintendent - Coweta Public Schools, 2002 – 2008
      • 5A school district with a population of over 3,000 students, and 350 employees
    • Assistant Principal - Union Public Schools, 2001 – 2002
    • Dean of Students / Assistant Athletic Director / Coach / Teacher - Bishop Kelley High School, 1993 – 2001
    • Teacher / Coach - Coweta Public Schools, 1989 – 1993
    • Teacher / Coach - Oaks Indian Mission Schools, 1988 – 1989
    • Teacher / Coach - Mapleton Public Schools (Denver, Colorado), 1986-1988

     

    OKLAHOMA PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

    • Governor’s Education Advisory Board
      • Appointed 2014 to present
    • State Superintendent’s Advisory Council
      • Appointed by three State Supt’s from 2002 to present
    • Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA) Board of Directors
      • Elected 5-year term 2015-2020
    • Oklahoma Association of School Administrators Executive Board (OASA)
      • Elected District Director 2014-2017
    • Oklahoma Liquid Assets Pool Board of Directors (OLAP)
      • Appointed 2017-2022
    • Cavett Kids Foundation Board of Directors
      • Elected 2016 to present
    • Canadian County United Way Board of Directors
      • Appointed 2017-2020
    • Mustang Chamber of Commerce Executive Board

     

    RECOGNITION, SERVICE, AND AWARDS

    • 2022 Council of Great City Schools Green-Garner Award Finalist
    • 2018 Oklahoma Association for School Administrators Superintendent of the Year
    • 2018 District 14 Superintendent of the Year
    • 2018 OSSBA ‘Emerging Leaders’ Panelist & Speaker
    • 2018 OSSBA ‘Financing Bond Construction’ Panelist & Speaker
    • 2018 OSSBA/CCOSA Vision for the People Committee Chair and Chapter Author
    • 2018 ‘Top 100 Best Places to Work in Oklahoma’ The Oklahoman
    • 2018 ‘Best School Districts” NICHE
    • 2017 ‘Best School Districts’ U.S. News & World Report
    • 2017 Mustang Chamber of Commerce ‘Ambassador of the Year’ for distinguished community service
    • 2016 Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Governor’s STEM Community Designation
    • 2014 Earned Doctorate at Oklahoma State University
    • 2007 Coweta Chamber of Commerce “Dr. Shawn Lee Leadership Award”
    • 2006 First Year Superintendents’ Academy – Featured Speaker
    • 2003 Coweta “Citizen of the Year” – presented by the Coweta Masonic Lodge
    • 2002 Northeastern State University Hall of Fame Inductee
    • 1999 Converse “Ralph Kouri Award” recipient for influence on school and community
    • 1995-96 Bishop Kelley Catholic High School Teacher of the Year
    • 1987-88 Highland High School Teacher of the Year
    • 2-Time Region Basketball Coach of the Year
    • 5-Time Conference Basketball Coach of the Year
    • 2-Time FCA State Coach of the Year