The Advanced Science and Technology Education Charter Schools

Ms. Misti Ashford- Middle School Principal

Misti Ashford grew up in Southeastern, Oklahoma and attended college at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha.  It was while attending Interdisciplinary Courses at USAO that she learned to appreciate cross-curriculum instruction. Ashford earned her degree in communications and was named editor of a small national magazine that covered the sport of rodeo prior to graduation.  She also co-founded a small marketing firm that specialized in promoting equine events primarily on the East Coast.  Ashford then began working at Government Information Tracking (GIT) as editor of Capitol Network News a daily newsletter that covered the Oklahoma state legislature.  Although marketing and writing have always been close to her heart, a short stint as a substitute teacher in a rural public school convinced her to explore education.  She has worked as a teacher, curriculum coordinator and finally as a middle school principal at ASTEC since its second year as a charter school.

Mr. Keith Blackston- Middle School Assistant Principal

Keith Blackston grew up in the St. Louis area all of the way through high school. He then moved to Oklahoma, working in the retail business for about 15 years and as a contractor for about six years. He has been married for 21 years and has four children, ages ranging from nine to seventeen.

Although he was working in other fields he realized that it was his calling to get into teaching, so he decided to go back to school in 2001.  In the spring of 2006 he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Family Studies at Southern Nazarene University, and received an award for distinguished achievement (voted on by his peers and instructors).

This will be Mr. Blackston’s fourth year at ASTEC, having taught 8th grade history and 7th grade math the previous three. He has also been involved in a variety of after-school programs.  This past year Mr. Blackston was also named ASTEC’s teacher of the year for the school year 2008-2009.  He will also be taking on a new role this year as the middle school assistant principal and looks forward to an exciting new year.

Ms. Stella Ross- Middle School Counselor

Stella Mora Ross, M.Ed., LPC has been working with ASTEC for the last 2 years. Ms. Ross received her Masters Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and has been working with youth and families for the last 9 years.

A bilingual therapist, Ms. Ross has conducted workshops and seminars around the state of Oklahoma and Miami, Florida. During the summer Ms. Ross has conducted workshops in Guadalajara and Puebla Mexico.

Ms. Patricia Pena- Middle School Assistant Counselor

Pat Pena graduated from The University of Central Oklahoma with a Degree in Criminal Justice.  She was born and raised  in Mexico City.  Ms. Pena spent most of her teenage years in this big wonderful city.  When she was 18 years old she moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where she lived for two and half years and later moved to Oklahoma and has lived in Guthrie, Edmond and Oklahoma City.  She began working at the Oklahoma County Juvenile Bureau in 1979 as a  Detention Officer and was promoted to Detention Supervisor after two years where she remained until 1988 and then became a Probation Officer and Probation Supervisor in 2000.  In 2005 she became the Community Liaison Coordinator until her retirement from the Oklahoma County Juvenile Bureau on October 31, 2008.
 
Pat Pena believes that all human beings have the capacity to change, especially young people.  She sincerely believes in being a motivating and encouraging  influence on youth.

Ms. Terry Kolar- Middle School Secretary/Registrar

Terry Kolar has two married daughters & enjoys reading, sewing and spending time outdoors. She has worked as a school secretary since 1989 in Edmond Schools, Putnam City Schools and ASTEC. Needless to say, she truly enjoys working with students, parents and the school staff.