MENTORS
Instead of "teacher," we call our instructors Mentors because we believe that building deep, long-lasting relationships is the core of who we are and what we do.
DR. SCOTT MARTIN
FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. Scott Martin is a lifelong educator who has worked with students for the past 30 years as a teacher, coach, and school administrator. Dr. Martin has a double PhD in Moral School Leadership and the Philosophy of Moral Education. He has led students on service leadership trips around the world that have included night snorkeling in Belize, backpacking in Colorado, horseback riding in Tuscany, serving the homeless in Italy, marching the Pettus Bridge in Selma, living on the Cochiti Pueblo, and tubing down the Guadalupe River. He presents at conferences around the world on topics pertaining to education, leadership, and adolescent flourishing.
DR. J. LOGAN KRUCK
HEAD OF SCHOOL FOR ACADEMICS, MENTOR
Logan Kruck holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Southern Nazarene University, a Masters of Theological Studies in Old Testament from Duke Divinity School, and a doctorate in forming imaginations at Duke Divinity. He has taught in Oklahoma and South Korean public schools, and was the educational director for Grace Lutheran, near Chicago. While in Chicago, he drew students together across neighborhood, economic, and racial boundaries, teaching spoken word performance, and engaging students in internships with refugee, victim advocacy, and after school agencies. Logan loves comic books, board games, writing, running, hiking, and crochet. Logan and his wife, Kathleena, continually dream up new adventures together.
JAKE HOWELL
HEAD OF SCHOOL FOR OPERATIONS, MENTOR
Jake Howell was born in raised in Bartlesville, OK. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing from Oklahoma State University. After graduating from university, Jake set his sights abroad. Landing in Madrid, Spain, Jake was a language and cultural assistant at a bilingual primary school for one year. His year abroad taught him two things about himself: he would read and he would travel. Since then, Jake has enjoyed living in OKC, playing board games, traveling when he can, reading as much as possible, and learning to cook.
BECCA JANKA
DEAN OF SOCIAL LIFE, MENTOR
Becca Janka grew up in Oklahoma where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Southern Nazarene University. During school, Becca was a student athlete on the Cross Country/Track team, co-founder of the "Diversity in STEM" club, held the role as NSLS president, and was awarded homecoming queen her senior year. Her time in school introduced her to the Wonder around us, motivating her to continue exploring and sharing out said wonder to students. Outside of Odyssey, Becca enjoys spending time with friends, climbing, and exploring the great outdoors.
ANHTHU NELSON
SERVICE LEADERSHIP, MENTOR
Mrs. Nelson holds a Bachelor's in Mathematics from Tulane University and a Masters in Emergency Management and Disaster Relief from American Military University. This is her second time as a mentor at OLA, and has spent the last few years raising her son and teaching in other settings. AnhThu has spent 7 years as an Air Force officer in the AWACS community. Outside of work, AnhThu loves spending time with her family, cooking, reading, and doing Crossfit.
JAMES CHENG
DEAN OF FINANCES
Mr. Cheng received his Bachelor's degree in Music and Physics at Ouachita Baptist University and continued with graduate studies at Arizona State University and the Eastman School of Music. He taught in the music department at Oklahoma City University from 2009 - 2016. Having missionary parents, Mr. Cheng grew up in various countries, fostering his desire to help the impoverished all over the globe. He and his family have traveled to Honduras several times to serve at a residency for at-risk children.
PAIGE LEWIS
MENTOR
As a certified medical assistant and avid leader in the community, Paige Lewis is known for her servant leadership and passion for people. She was born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma and has six siblings. Paige is continuing to pursue her passion for medicine through higher education and plans to attend nursing school. When she is not working or studying, you can find Paige in the gym preparing for fitness competitions or riding her motorcycle around town.
LEE ROLAND
DEAN OF COMMUNITY AND CULTURE
Lee Roland has been a leader in education and the community for more than 35 years. He has served as a teacher, administrator, Board member, principal of Tulakes Elementary, Executive Director, and pastor. Lee is a passionate speaker, practical trainer, and dedicated advocate for a better future for all. He currently runs Voyage Consulting - born out of a desire to inspire, equip, and empower others to believe, pursue and achieve equity and success for all individuals in our community. Lee has been married to his best friend, Wanda, for 43 years, and together they have 2 amazing children, with fantastic spouses, and 2 lovely grandchildren. Lee loves golfing in his spare time.
SCHOLARS IN RESIDENCE
Dr. Ed Neuenschwander, Science and Technology
Ian Taylor, Paleontology
CREATIVES IN RESIDENCE
Julian Jazzar, Music
Jabee Williams, Hip-hop
Jasmine Jones, Art
Ernest Odunze, Entrepreneurship
Mentoring is at the heart of everything we do at Odyssey.
BOARD of DIRECTORS
Odyssey Leadership Academy is governed by a team of highly passionate, skilled, and talented visionaries who are avid in their pursuit of excellence and integrity. Each person brings his or her own unique skill set, background, and experience in education, community development, and/or city transformation.
JOSH BOTTOMLY, Associate Head of School for Academics at an independent day school
LT. WAYLAND CUBIT, OKC Police Department
DECARLA STEEL, A veteran who works for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Oklahoma City office
JUSTIN KING, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, Attorney at Law
DR. WILLIAM FRICK, Rainbolt Family Endowed Presidential Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education at the University of Oklahoma