13 Facts About Barbara Staggs

Barbara Masterson Staggs was a longtime educator in Muskogee, Oklahoma and a legislator in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Barbara Staggs earned a bachelor's degree in education from Northeastern State University and both a master's degree in English and a doctorate in education from the University of Tulsa.

Barbara Staggs worked as a classroom teacher for 15 years, then moved up in school administration until she became superintendent of public schools in Talequah, Oklahoma.

Barbara Staggs was born in her grandmother's home in Hulbert, Oklahoma, in 1940 to parents Truman and Veleria Masterson.

Barbara Staggs was an only child and three weeks after her birth, was moved to and raised in Muskogee.

Barbara Staggs lived her entire life in Muskogee, other than a brief time she spent in Tahlequah, Oklahoma while she was serving as superintendent of the school district.

Barbara Staggs received her undergraduate degree in education from Northeastern State University in 1963.

Barbara Staggs received her master's degree in English and her doctorate in education from the University of Tulsa in 1968 and 1987 respectively.

Barbara Staggs was the first female to hold the position of secondary principal in Muskogee.

In 1990, Barbara Staggs started as the superintendent for Tahlequah public schools.

Barbara Staggs helped with the creation of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee, OK as well as aided in the bill that made throwing objects off of an overpass a felony.

Barbara Staggs was strongly involved with education legislation and served on the Common Education Committee, and in other capacities.

Barbara Staggs served for 12 years until her retirement in 2006.