Rebecca Hattaway
Features Editor
CLAREMORE —
Legacy Christian School in Claremore has seen many changes in the last several years — from a new name (previously it was First Baptist Christian School) to the addition of sports, school colors and a mascot.
With the inclusion of seventh and eighth grade classes this fall, a new administrator is also in place to lead the school into the future.
Arland Callison has replaced Pam Flood who retired at the end of May.
For the past 13 years Callison has served as principal at Vian Elementary School. Before than she was elementary principal at Ketchum for 13 years.
Her career in education began as a challenge — with a financial incentive — from her father-in-law.
“My major was in fashion merchandising but he said ‘if you get your education degree, I’ll pay for it,’” Callison said. “God has really had his hand on me the entire time. This is where I was supposed to be.”
Her first teaching job was at Gum Springs where she taught for four years before moving with her husband, Larry, to Ketchum.
“He was a basketball coach — now retired,” she said, “but he is going back into coaching next year at Ketchum.”
The Callisons bought a house in Claremore after years of traveling through on their way to Tulsa from Ketchum.
“We always thought it would be a nice place to retire,” Callison said. “So when Larry retired we bought a house knowing this was where we were going to be, but I stayed in Vian.”
This year Arland herself retired and when she found out about the opening at Legacy, she applied.
“I can’t really fill Pam’s shoes — I’ll have to wear my own,” she said, “but I am so thrilled to be here. I really like administration — the leadership role. I like curriculum and setting and meeting goals.”
Callison said she’s excited about to the opportunity work in a Christian environment.
“I’m looking forward to being able to talk openly about my faith. The teachers here feel the same way. They’re here because this is their calling — it’s not just a paycheck for them,” she said. “Legacy offers a high standard of education and small student-to-teacher ratio. At a time when public schools are having to make do with fewer teachers — meaning larger class sizes — we’re going to continue to offer small classes with a lot of individual instruction.”
Arland and Larry have two sons: Jeremy and his wife Kayla live with their two children in Claremore, and Grant, a student, works in Tulsa.
“I’m looking forward to becoming a member of the community,” Callison said. “We’ve lived here for two years, but I haven’t been around much with my job elsewhere.”
