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Mike DawsonPhoto provided by SPS
Mike Dawson

Photo provided by SPS

SPS hires first chief learning officer

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Springfield Public Schools Superintendent John Jungmann fulfilled an early goal by hiring the district’s first chief learning officer.

Mike Dawson, the current assistant superintendent at the Monett R-1 School District, is schedule to start his Springfield role July 1. Approved by the board of education Feb. 17, his annual salary will be $137,000, according to a news release.

Dawson was named the top candidate among 23 applicants and following interviews by district and school administrators.

"Mr. Dawson is a collaborative leader, who has a strategic focus on learning," Jungmann said in the release. "His expertise will bring value to our system as we redefine our learning division and work to support our students in reaching their full potential."

In a Nov. 24 Springfield Business Journal article, “The Table’s Set,” Jungmann laid out his goals, including the hiring of a chief learning officer to meet learning development initatives.

“I think we have some collaboration issues and some opportunities to make sure all of our learning divisions – elementary, secondary, curriculum, professional development – are aligned,” Jungmann said in the article.

In his entry plan report for the district published Nov. 11, the superintendent said the chief learning officer would be responsible for leading students to success in academic and nonacademic categories and making sure the preK-12 system operates collaboratively.

Dawson has past experience as a Branson elementary principal 2003-12, elementary school principal in California, teacher in California and Iowa, and as an adjunct professor at Missouri State University and Lindenwood University. He already is a resident of Springfield, according to the release.

Jungmann’s administration now comprises Dawson; Chief Financial and Operations Officer Carol Embree, who performed a similar role for the superintendent when he led Liberty Public Schools; Chief Human Resources Officer Parker McKenna; associate superintendents Ben Hackenwerth, Justin Herrell and Marty Moore; and Teresa Bledsoe, director of communications, according to Jungmann’s report.[[In-content Ad]]

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