SPS’ Principal for a Day marks participation milestone

An effort to invite community members to witness the inner workings of Springfield Public Schools reached a milestone this month.

At least 300 elected officials, parents and business leaders have participated in the seven Principal for a Day events, which started in 2023. It is an ongoing partnership with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

“The more opportunities we have to be in each other’s world, the more we will feel ownership in each other’s world,” said Matt Morrow, president of the chamber, after the Feb. 20 event.

Morrow said the event provides “easy on-ramps” for community leaders to get more involved in public schools. Nonprofit leaders, health professionals, higher education officials, lawmakers, business owners, marketing specialists and real estate agents signed up for this round.

“If we are part of the Springfield community, these are our schools,” he said. “We have a responsibility, we have a duty, but we also have an affinity that comes when we are able to spend that time together and witness firsthand what is happening.”

Superintendent Grenita Lathan created the half-day immersion experience three years ago, which is now offered once each semester. She said the effort has resulted in more partnerships, volunteers and student experiences, such as field trips.

“It’s always exciting when we can open up our schools and let people see things that are occurring on a daily basis across our district,” she said.

Matthew Suarez, vice president and portfolio manager at Central Trust Co., spent time with Megan Brown, principal of Parkview High School.

“She said ‘Good morning’ to every single student that she saw, and one particular young man came up in the middle of a discussion just to sneak in and give her a quick hug,” he said.

A group of students led a tour with stops to highlight classes, clubs and extracurricular activities.

“Not only did we get to see Parkview through the eyes of the students, they are doing such great things there,” Suarez said. “That was very meaningful.”

Heather Zoromski, executive director of the Darr Family Foundation, shadowed Duane Cox, principal of Pipkin Middle School.

“Relationships are hugely important in that building,” said Zoromski, who also serves on the Ozark Board of Education. “Duane does a morning Zoom every morning, so everybody sees his face, and he gets to check in with them. And you can see in the staffs’ interactions with him that they truly trust him.”

Joey Powell, public relations and marketing director at Dickerson Park Zoo, said she observed Tommy Wells, principal of Pershing K-8 School, quickly diffuse tension between two male students in a hallway.

“They passed him, and he stopped it, and you just watched it go,” she said. “All of us that employ people, adults, what do we hear all the time? Soft skills, teaching that. I was like, ‘Wow, that was it right then and there.’”

Rita Needham, retired from the Missouri Association of Manufacturers, said Dana Powers, principal of Carver Middle School, appeared to know each student by name. She was impressed with the number of career-technical courses, including Project Lead The Way options, that were available.

“I came away with a feeling that there are things that community members, like us, can do to help our schools,” she said.