Retiring Ozark school official to lead Springfield's Goodwill Excel Center
Jeff Simpson has been named the new director of the Springfield Excel Center, which helps adults age 21 and older earn a high school diploma and career certifications.
Simpson will start in July after retiring from the Ozark school district, where he has spent 30 years. He currently serves as the executive director of special services.
He will replace outgoing director John Kennedy, who has accepted a job as secondary principal at the San Roberto International School in Mexico.
"I love the mission that the MERS Goodwill program has overall and the Excel center specifically being able to help people figure out how to get their diploma and improve their life through work, getting training and accomplishing that and going on to other training in things they want to succeed," he said.
Simpson, 53, said he has spent his entire career working to meet the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and abilities.
He has worked with students who were at-risk for dropping out and others who had special needs.
"I've been a junior high principal, I have worked and been the director at times for the alternative school that we have here. I have been fortunate to work with teams of people who have it in their heart to help students succeed even when it's been difficult," he said.
"The nontraditional path to completion and figuring out any obstacles they may face and challenges so that they can succeed — I've always had that niche to work with those students. It's a great fit."
The Springfield Goodwill Excel Center is located at 1514 S. Glenstone Ave. Along with other centers in the state, it aims to serve the 500,000 people in Missouri who are over age 21 without a high school diploma.
More: Ozark superintendent announces retirement to spend more time with family, interim named
There are also centers in St. Louis, Florissant, Poplar Bluff, Columbia and Cape Girardeau. Each one offers accelerated curriculum, flexible schedules and a drop-in childcare center.
Simpson said he will work to identify adults that could benefit from the center and then get them signed up and on track through completion of their goals.
"We want to close that window," he said. "They do a great job of getting people in and getting them finished and we want to continue that."
Simpson has a bachelor's degree in special education from Evangel University, a master's degree in administration from Missouri State University and a specialist degree from Lindenwood University.
“Mr. Simpson believes that all people can learn when curriculum and instruction are inclusive, implemented with care, and crafted to meet the diverse needs of learners,” said Eric Knost, superintendent of Missouri Excel Centers, in a news release. “We are excited to have him, and he is just as excited about this opportunity.”
The first Excel Center opened in 2010 with one site in Indianapolis and later expanded in Indiana and nationally with centers in Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington D.C and Missouri.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Retiring Ozark school official to lead SGF Goodwill Excel Center