Springfield's John Jungmann named Missouri Superintendent of the Year

(From Springfield Public Schools)

Association of School Administrators/Missouri School Boards' Association annual fall conference held Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach.

Dr. John Jungmann, superintendent of SPS, was named Superintendent of the Year. Springfield Public Schools' Early Childhood Education Program was named MSBA FutureBuilders' Education Foundation Early Childhood Education Program of the Year. Board of Education member Gerry Lee was named the recipient of the 2016 MSBA FutureBuilders' Paul Morris Community Service Award at the Association of School Administrators/Missouri School Boards Association annual fall conference held September 29-October 2 at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach.

Dr. John Jungmann, Superintendent

Dr. John Jungmann, superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, was selected as Superintendent of the Year by MASA in part because of his commitment to moving SPS toward a focus on understanding and addressing opportunity gaps for all of SPS' 25,000 students. Throughout the process, he has engaged numerous stakeholder groups in conversations to identify priorities and solutions. When he became superintendent in 2014, he launched the community engagement process, culminating with the development of the district's new strategic plan.

Additionally, Dr. Jungmann's leadership with the Imagine SPS initiative challenged SPS, parents, students, business leaders and school personnel to dream of ways to make learning more engaging, relevant and personal. Their creativity was the catalyst for many of the innovative programs and initiatives now being implemented, including the redesign and expansion of summer learning opportunities, deployment of technology, flexible schedules and furnishings, and creation of collaborative learning spaces.

"I am honored to accept this award as recognition of the innovative work being done at SPS and would like to acknowledge the support of more than 4,000 SPS employees who work each day to make learning more engaging, relevant and personal for our 25,000 students," said Dr. Jungmann.

Beyond the leadership he provides for SPS, Dr. Jungmann promotes and enhances the image of public education through his involvement in educational organizations, including MASA and the American Association of School Administrators. Dr. Jungmann actively advocates for quality public education to organizations and associations throughout the region, state and nation.

Dr. Jungmann will be recognized during the AASA National Conference on Education in New Orleans in March for his state selection and will be considered for AASA's National Superintendent of the Year.