Melissa Provenzano

Melissa Provenzano was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She received a bachelor's degree in organismic biology from Northeastern State University in 1998 and an M.Ed. in educational leadership from the University of Oklahoma in 2010. Provenzano's career experience includes working as a teacher and a school administrator. Her organizational affiliations include the Cooperative Council of Oklahoma School Administration, Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Oklahoma Educators Association, and the Tulsa Area Secondary Schools Principals.[1][2]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

The past four years of serving the residents of House District 79 has been an honor for me. When filing and running legislation, I prioritize constituent requests and the concerns expressed during conversations with neighbors and the people of House District 79. I understand the importance of transparency and accountability in Oklahoma’s public servants and center those principles as I works help Oklahomans overcome real problems.

Background:

Public School Teacher

School Administrator

Bachelor of Science - Organismic Biology

Master's Degree - Educational Leadership and Policy

Oklahoma Education Association 2022 Legislator of the Year

OK Dem Veterans 2022 Legislator of the Year

Tulsa native, married mom and stepmom

Current appointments:

Democratic Education Policy Chair

State Director, Women In Government (National)

Emerging Legislative Leaders - Darden School of Business

Committees:

House Common Education Committee

House Appropriations and Budget on Common Education

Joint Committee on Administrative Rules

County and Municipal Government

Service Oklahoma Tag Agency Task Force

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Legislator. Educator. Bipartisan Problem Solver.Education is the rising tide that lifts all ships.Proven track record of solving constituent issues, reaching across the aisle to get problems solved and bills passed

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public Education

Health Care Access

Criminal Justice Reform

Anti-corruption, transparency in government spending of our tax dollars.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My grandmother was a rock. She worked her way up from bank teller to vice president of the same bank in a day and time when women did not get afforded such opportunities. I always knew I could do whatever I set my mind to as long as I was willing to work for it thanks to her.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honest and ethical

transparent

Works for ALL constituents - not just those in their own party

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Service to the people

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

My stepdad was killed during a traffic altercation when I had just turned 9. My sister was a newborn at the time. Mom, sis and I navigated our way through some very tough times, became incredibly resilient and self-sufficient. I've always know I could take care of myself and those around me. It shaped how I interact with people and the types of work I choose.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I mowed yards for a lawn service in high school. I had it from 9th grade to graduation!

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Collaborative, collegial and competitive. We should push each other to create the best policy rather than rubber stamping what our peers do.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Oklahoma has a supermajority of one party, which has proven to be problematic and prone to extremism and corruption. No one party should have total power, regardless of political persuasion.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Nebraska is the only state currently with a unicameral legislature. I had the opportunity to meet on of their representatives this summer, and he shared that it led to a more collaborative process and a less lopsided one (per party divisions). He did share that there were less opportunities for vetting legislation as it did not have to go through 2 chambers in order to head to the governor's desk, but felt Nebraska compensated for that in other ways.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes and no. Fresh ideas are always needed, but experience in how to effectively execute policy is a major plus.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

It's an absolute must.

I am a Democrat and a heavily Republican state. I am effective in passing legislation because I collaborate, seek the opinion of other legislators, and am willing to compromise.

This is the way I got the following laws passed:

Fully covered diagnostic mammograms for all women

Student Loan Borrower's Bill of Rights

Teacher Professional Development Streamlining

Right to Repair Updates to Landlord Tenant Act

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Independent redistricting where legislators have no say in how the lines are drawn.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Common Education - I'm a former teacher and principal. Kids - ALL kids deserve a public education system that prepares them for the world beyond school, regardless of their income or geographic location.

Plus, kids are just a lot of fun! Helping them be their best is a joy.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise and collaboration with people that may not share your own opinions is the most effective way to get lasting, effective policy across the line that truly helps all people, rather than a narrow group.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Melissa is a lifelong Tulsa area native, married mom to two sons and stepmom to two daughters.

As a legislator, Melissa continues to bring this same commitment and voice, advocating for the people of Tulsa at the state capitol. The first half of the 57th legislative session brought much positive progress to our state. Working together across the aisle brought help to much needed support and help to working Oklahomans.

As a graduate of Northeastern State University with a BS in Organismic Biology and then from the University of Oklahoma with a MEd in Educational Leadership, Melissa honed her commitment to improving the lives of her fellow citizens by becoming an educator. First, as a Biology teacher at Will Rogers High, then as an administrator at Booker T Washington High, Hale Junior and Bixby High School.

Melissa worked tirelessly during her tenure as an educator to ensure that the children of Tulsa have access to a well-rounded social and academic school-going experience. Developing in each student the skills and abilities that allow them to be successful in life beyond high school as career and college-ready citizens is crucial to our long-term success.Healthy, productive, contributing citizens of Tulsa is the goal.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I serve the residents of House District 79 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. How can I help you? Two years ago I ran for office during a different kind of crisis. Oklahoma educators sounded the alarm and many signed up to serve. I am proud of the work we have done thus far in beginning to right that ship on both sides of the aisle. Fast forward to today The COVID-19 Pandemic has touched us all. The systems in our state have been subjected to the same lack of attention as education due to a decade of cuts - and we are feeling the pain. I have spent more time talking to constituents than ever before and getting them connected to support systems. One thing has become very clear- my work here is far from done.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Helping Oklahoma families and businesses navigate the COVID-19 crisis - the key issues are access to health care, unemployment benefits, and keeping a struggling small business afloat.

Restoring the professionally trained teacher pipeline ahead of the coming wave of teacher retirements.

Health Care Access that is transparent (ending surprised medical billing), accessible and fair for all.

Criminal Justice Reform that is practical - ending cash bail reform

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

You must be willing to entertain ideas different than your own, work with people who you may disagree with and be willing to compromise. The second you think you have all the answers, you should probably move on to a new job.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To serve directly the constituents of your district. All of the bills I submitted during the 57th legislature were constituent requests.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was working for a landscape company, mowing yards and planting flower beds. I worked as part of a lawn crew off and on throughout high school

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What is your political philosophy?

"If there is one thing the teacher walkout has revealed to me, it is that we, as Oklahomans, are not so far apart in our values and beliefs. As I stood on the Capitol lawn and on street corners in a demonstration with my peers, as well as when I visited with our state senators and representatives to encourage them to fully fund education, I was, and still am, profoundly moved by the level of support from our community. I saw support not only from parents and students but also from community organizations providing safe places to go as well as big and small business owners donating supplies, food, gas cards, and more.

This collaboration tells me three things:

1. Oklahomans are more alike than they are different.

2. Oklahomans take care of one another.

3. We need more moderate voices in our Oklahoma House and Senate

I want to be a voice for reason and fairness for the people of House District 79. I am Melissa Provenzano, and I am asking for your help and for your vote for Oklahoma House District 79 in the Democratic primary this June 26th. #Proven4Oklahoma"

Is there anything you would like to add?

Melissa is a lifelong Tulsa area native, married mom to two sons and stepmom to two daughters.

As a graduate of Northeastern State University with a BS in Organismic Biology and then from the University of Oklahoma with a MEd in Educational Leadership, Melissa honed her commitment to improving the lives of her fellow citizens by becoming an educator. First, as a Biology teacher at Will Rogers High School, then as an administrator at Booker T Washington High School, Hale Junior High and now for Bixby High School.

Melissa has worked tirelessly during her tenure as an educator to ensure that the children of Tulsa have access to a well-rounded social and academic school-going experience. Developing in each student the skills and abilities that allow them to be successful in life beyond high school as career and college-ready citizens is crucial to our long-term success.

Healthy, productive, contributing citizens of Tulsa is the goal. The role of a school administrator means building a healthy culture and climate, providing support to teachers and students, setting high long-term goals and encouraging big ideas, fostering a sense of purpose and responsibility, making tough choices, balancing countless budgets, and using data strategically when making decisions that impact the people you serve. It's time for Melissa to expand that supportive leadership role to the citizens of Tulsa.[3]

—Melissa Provenzano[1]