Meet Our Principals
Ashley Mackey, Head Principal
Mrs. Mackey has been in Deer Creek for more than eight years. Prior to becoming an administrator, Mrs. Mackey taught middle school social studies and Gifted and Talented. Mrs. Mackey is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University (undergrad), Arkansas State University (masters) and University of Central Oklahoma (masters). When asked why she became an educator, she said, "I have been profoundly inspired by those who believed in me. My passion lies in helping others discover and maximize their own capabilities, fostering an environment where individuals can thrive and reach their fullest potential. My ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of well-rounded individuals who are empowered to excel post-secondary."
Dr. Janelle Giammario, Assistant Principal
As an assistant principal, Dr. Janelle Giammario oversees ninth and tenth grade students. She is in her second year in Deer Creek, but has a wealth of experience in education in other parts of our state. She is a graduate of Oklahoma State University (bachelors), University of Oklahoma (masters) and Baylor University (doctorate). She chose to a career in education because, "I have a deep-rooted love for lifelong learning. I wanted to encourage students to determine their potential and guide them toward accomplishing their goals. I have always felt supported and encouraged by the teachers that I have encountered and I wanted to be that person for others."
Buck King, Assistant Principal
As an assistant principal, Mr. Buck King oversees eleventh and twelfth grade students. He has been in education for nearly 30 years, and is in his fifth year as a principal at DCHS. Prior to becoming an administrator, Mr. King taught Oklahoma History, Geography, U.S. History, Word History, P.E./Health and Drivers Education. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Mr. King's wife Becky is a teacher at Deer Creek 4th and 5th Grade Center, and they enjoy spending their free time supporting their grandkids in their various activities. Outside of school, Mr. King is also a stormchaser for KOCO Channel 5 in Oklahoma City.
Brock VanCleave, Assistant Principal
As assistant principal, Mr. VanCleave oversees ninth and tenth grade students. Mr. VanCleave has been in education for 17 years, the last four of which have been in Deer Creek. Prior to becoming an administrator, he taught physical science and chemistry. He is a graduate of Southern Nazarene University (bachelors) and University of Central Oklahoma (masters). When asked why he loves Deer Creek, Mr. VanCleave said, "I brought my children to DC because of the wonderful teachers and staff here. I love that I can trust our district to educate so many, including my own."
Kendall Dowling, Assistant Principal
As assistant principal, Mrs. Dowling oversees eleventh and twelfth grade students. Mrs. Dowling is an experienced educator with more than eight years in the classroom and involvement with a variety of student and teacher development initiatives. She is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University (bachelors) and University of Central Oklahoma (masters). When asked why she chose to spend her career in education, she said, "to help kids think critically about new ideas and foster empathy for others."
Bethany Lorenz, Academic Assistant Principal
Mrs. Lorenz is in her 24th year in education and her 10th in Deer Creek. Prior to becoming an administrator, she taught high school science. She graduated from Oklahoma State University with her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education - Science, and from University of Central Oklahoma with her masters degree in Educational Leadership. When asked why she chose a career in education, she said, "I was inspired by my mother who is a teacher and one of my favorite high school science teachers to become a teacher myself."