Sandra Cantwell, pictured, an assistant principal at Joplin High School since 2010, has been named the Assistant Principal of the Year by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP). She was selected based upon the impact she makes in providing collaborative leadership, her involvement in curriculum, instruction and assessment and in personalizing education for students at Joplin High School. She will be honored by MASSP at their spring conference on March 30, 2015, at the Lodge of the Four Seasons in Lake Ozark.
Phil Lewis, MASSP executive director, said, "The position of assistant principal is a vital member of the school's administrative team who is expected to be everything to everybody. The assistant principal is involved with evaluating teachers as well as working with data to improve curriculum and instruction. Many individuals serve in the role of assistant principal as a career and are dedicated to the students and communities they serve."
Principal Kerry Sachetta praised Cantwells focus on encouraging and supporting struggling students emphasizing course completion, improved attendance, and reduced behavior issues of the freshmen class has been at the forefront of her daily routine. Sachetta went on to say, In the last three years our graduation rate has improved drastically and our improvements can be traced back to Sandras work with our teachers and students during their freshman year.
Cantwell has worked with the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, together with Cary Beasley, the Workforce Development manager, to develop a freshman orientation event. This event has grown into a mentoring/leadership program (Fusion) involving students in all four high school grades with activities throughout the school year.
After completing her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Ozark Bible Institute and College in 1988, Cantwell obtained her certification to teach through Missouri State in 1993, her masters degree from William Woods University in 2005 and an educational specialist degree from Southwest Baptist University in 2013. Previous experience included serving as a teacher in the Neosho School District from 1992 through 2010.
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