Copeland to leave Cape school district for job at Southeast

Sherry Copeland announced this week she will retire June 30 as assistant superintendent of academic services at the Cape Girardeau School District and become an assistant professor in the Educational Leadership and Counseling Department at Southeast Missouri State University.

"This is a great opportunity for me to focus on research, writing and teaching," said Copeland, who has served as assistant superintendent for four years.

She submitted her retirement notice to the school board Wednesday and also sent a farewell email to faculty and staff members at the district.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure in the district and have built some amazing friendships that will last a lifetime," Copeland wrote. "I have never been more proud of a district than I am of Cape Public Schools."

She has worked in K-12 education for 23 years and also spent two years as director of the Regional Professional Development Center at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.

She earned her teaching certificate from Southeast Missouri State University and taught in New Madrid, Missouri, for a dozen years. She also has a master's degree in counseling from Southeast and went on to earn her specialist and doctoral degrees from St. Louis University.

"When I went to SLU to get my doctorate, it was always in the back of my mind that when I retire from public schools, I really would love the chance to go back and teach again and at the university level," she said.

As an assistant professor at Southeast, Copeland will be teaching graduate students -- typically teachers or administrators -- who are earning master's or specialist degrees.

"I'm just super excited to have this opportunity," she said.

"They're an amazing department with great people. For me, it's a great fit."

Kyle McDonald, president of the school board, said with the contract year ending July 1, the pool of candidates would be smaller than the district would prefer if the job were posted immediately.

Christa Turner, who recently was hired as director of curriculum and instruction, will take on some of the position's responsibilities.

Superintendent Jim Welker, assistant superintendent of administrative services Neil Glass and director of special services Deena Ring also will take on extra duties until a replacement is hired.

"They feel we would be better served evaluating that position come November, December, and then posting it and having a better candidate pool," McDonald said, adding one of two things could happen: "We could post it again, or if Ms. Turner has lived up to our great expectations we have of her, she would probably assume that role."

McDonald said Copeland's leadership will be greatly missed.

"But I have all the confidence in the world the game plan she put in place will continue on with new leadership in the curriculum and instruction director," he said. "We were very saddened to lose Sherry. She's a good asset for the district, but I think she's going to be a great asset for the university."

Copeland said she always will have a fondness for the Cape Girardeau School District and is proud of the district's hard work and accomplishments. She's also looking forward to taking on her new role.

"To be a part of the university -- how special," she said. "I feel like I'm walking on air."

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

301 N. Clark St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, Mo.