JOPLIN, Mo. —
C.J. Huff, superintendent of Joplin schools, has been named Missouri’s Superintendent of the Year.
The award, given by the Missouri Association of School Administrators, was announced Saturday at the group’s annual conference at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach.
Huff received the award along with a commemorative ring and a $500 scholarship to be given to a Joplin student. He will represent Missouri in the National Superintendent of the Year program of the American Association of School Administrators.
In a news release announcing Huff’s award, the state association noted Huff’s role in leading the Joplin School District through the aftermath of the May 2011 tornado, which damaged or destroyed several school buildings and deeply affected many students, faculty and staff.
State Sen. Ron Richard, who nominated Huff for the award, said Huff’s leadership after the tornado was the primary reason he submitted the superintendent’s name for recognition.
“Sometimes great people are created by the circumstances around them,” he said.
Richard said he was particularly impressed with Huff’s determination to begin the 2011-12 school year on time, less than three months after the tornado, despite the loss of at least five buildings. An empty warehouse and a vacant section of Joplin’s mall were among the buildings that have been turned into temporary schools.
“When you have what happened in Joplin, and then you have those hurdles that seem insurmountable and the decision you have to make on the fly, not everyone can do that,” Richard said. “We were lucky that the school board had someone who was capable of that.”
The state association also noted Huff’s efforts to launch the community-based program Bright Futures, which partners schools with businesses, faith-based groups and relief agencies to meet students’ basic needs. Bright Futures is credited with reducing the district’s dropout rate and amassing more than 1,000 volunteers who have donated 5,000 hours of service, according to the release.
“That would in itself be worthy of recognition, for the superintendent of schools to try to do something with kids that have a tougher time getting through the process, getting education,” Richard said.
Richard said nominating Huff was “an easy choice” to make.
“It was easy to recommend someone (who is) a good guy and someone who has the leadership ability that few other districts have,” he said. “I think we’re very fortunate.”
Huff’s resume
C.J. Huff has been superintendent of Joplin schools since July 2008. He previously served as superintendent of the Eldon School District, and as a principal in the Nixa and Springfield districts.
May 2011 Joplin tornado
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C.J. Huff
Discussion
Joplin’s C.J. Huff named state Superintendent of the Year
- May 2011 Joplin tornado
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Storms cause damage throughout the Four States
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SLIDESHOW: One year later, One day of unity, updated
Photos from a day of events commemorating the May 22, 2011 tornado anniversary
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Two plead guilty to post-tornado wire theft
Two defendants pleaded guilty Monday to stealing copper wire from utility poles in the wake of the May 22, 2011, tornado that struck Joplin. Timothy M. Silveria, 45, of Joplin, and Nycoa K. Kracht, 32, of Laurel, Ind., entered open pleas of guilty in Jasper County Circuit Court to felony counts of theft from a public utility.
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FACES OF RECOVERY: 176,869 volunteers help put Joplin together again
They initially came in droves, pouring into Joplin by the thousands during the months following the May 2011 tornado to clear debris, clean up damaged homes and businesses and distribute donations of food, water, clothing and other necessities.
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Therapy dogs
Any question that Louie was bred to put people as ease is put to rest when the golden retriever trots over to where a visitor sits and puts his head on their knee, the dog’s eyes filled with a gentle affection.
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Nova Kluseman and Jeanne Morrow
Nova Kluseman has staked her claim on Wednesdays at the Mercy medical office clinics where she volunteers. The staff at Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri will know it’s Thursday when they see Jeanne Morrow walk through the door.
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Greentree Community Church
Every two months, Joplin plays host to some now-familiar faces. They’re members of Greentree Community Church in St. Louis, and they have “adopted” the city as one of their mission projects since the tornado.
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Virginia Laas
Virginia Laas isn’t an accountant or bookkeeper by trade. But when the tornado caused significant damage to Joplin Schools, and subsequently spurred a massive landslide of donations to the district, Laas voluntarily stepped into those roles to fill a need that administrators were too busy to handle.
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Rebecca Williams
Two years after the tornado, Rebecca Williams remains committed to helping people around the world keep up with the progress that has been made in Joplin.
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Community Outreach Team
While it didn’t yet have a formal name, the seeds of Freeman Health System’s Community Outreach Team were planted in the hours following the tornado.
- More May 2011 Joplin tornado Headlines
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