Matt Teeter, Willard superintendent for five years, hired by SPS to coach leaders
The Springfield district has hired the former Willard superintendent to train and mentor its new and aspiring school leaders.
Matt Teeter is the leadership development coordinator for the state's largest district. He started July 1.
"I'll be job coaching some first-year leaders and second-year leaders. Right now it looks like 45," he said.
Teeter will support the district's Evolving Leaders Program, SPS Leadership Academy and Executive Directors Academy.
Superintendent Grenita Lathan made cultivating new and existing leaders a priority in an entry plan she made public in December, halfway through her first year.
Nicole Holt, deputy superintendent of academics, said professional learning is one of the "major vehicles we have to empower teachers to be more effective in their classrooms."
She said Teeter will fill a gap the district had in providing the same type of mentoring for school and district leaders.
"We saw an opportunity to be more intentional in how we develop, mentor and support our leaders," she said.
Holt said Teeter's experience as a superintendent and principal made him a good fit for the role.
"A high quality and effective principal on our campuses leads to improved student outcomes," Holt said. "Building that pipeline and building the supports we can provide them is going to give us a really good return on investment."
Among other things, Teeter will share his experiences and practical knowledge about leadership and how it can support teaching and learning.
He will also give new leaders another place to turn for guidance as they tackle different issues.
Teeter grew up in Germany, where his parents worked as missionaries, before moving to a small Missouri community near Columbia.
He graduated from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Leadership Academy.
Teeter, who has an educational doctorate from Saint Louis University, was a teacher and coach in Mexico, Missouri; an assistant principal in the Park Hill and Jefferson City districts, and a principal in Smithville.
He spent seven years as a superintendent: two in Smithton and five in Willard, stepping down in June.
Teeter said he met with Lathan about openings in the district and wanted to support her vision for SPS. His salary for this year is $108,022.
"I was able to do some deep learning about the district and where the direction of the district is going and (am) just super, super excited about the opportunity," he said. "It is my passion. It is my skill set."
He said his goal in the position is to help build capacity in leaders "which will ultimately help retain amazing people in order to do the great work that SPS is trying to do for the community here."
In early December, Teeter announced plans to resign his Willard post at the end of the school year saying he felt led to make the change after much prayer.
Teeter and his family continue to live near Willard. His wife works for the Willard district and his children are enrolled there.
The new superintendent in Willard is Eric Wilken, who was assistant superintendent last year. Teeter praised Wilken and the leadership team assembled in Willard.
More: Building trust and 'one team' is goal for Willard's new school superintendent
"It's in great hands to really move forward and (I'm) very excited about the future of the Willard school district and where they're going," he said.
He said Wilken is a good listener and "his goal of unification and 'one team' I just think is the right spirit to be leading Willard."
In addition to Teeter, the Springfield district employs other former superintendents, including:
John Mulford, assistant superintendent of operations
Bill Redinger, chief human resources officer
Travis Shaw, executive director of operations
Kent Medlin, who was superintendent in Willard prior to Teeter, and Stephen Kleinsmith, the longtime superintendent in Nixa, filled SPS leadership posts part-time after retiring from their earlier jobs.
Claudette Riley is the education reporter for the News-Leader. Email news tips to criley@news-leader.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Matt Teeter, ex-Willard superintendent, hired by SPS to coach leaders
