SUPERINTENDENT MAN OF MANY HATS

Both the United States armed forces and the field of education are known for providing exciting learning experiences and strong leadership skills to their volunteers.

That's probably why Cape Girardeau superintendent of schools Dr. Dan Tallent has maintained careers in both areas for 18 years.

Tallent has been an educator since his first teaching job at Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1976. Add to that 18 years of association with the Marine Corps, Marine Reserves and National Guard, and it is easy to see why the two jobs go hand-in-hand for Tallent.

"Both of them are jobs you try to advance and move along in," he said. "I consider both careers because I use the same techniques and skills in both: leadership, organization and advancement."

The main goal for many educators and military personnel is to advance in their field, Tallent said. That's why teachers are constantly continuing their education and moving into administration, and why members of the National Guard request assignments that require more than the minimum one weekend per month and two weeks each summer, he said.

"It's like anything else," he said. "In education you want to move up through the ranks of administration; in the military you try to have the right kind of assignment and finish the schooling so you can move along the ranks."

As school superintendent, Tallent is the leader of the "ranks" in local administration, but he said he still has room to advance in the military. Currently a major with a military occupational specialty of combat engineer, Tallent said he has his sights set on becoming an engineer battalion commander, a job that requires even more of his time.

When he isn't being a school administrator or honoring his commitment to the national defense, Tallent said he has a third career as a farmer. He shares ownership of a farm with his father-in-law near Patton, where they raise calves and sell them.

Although the three jobs take away from time with his family, Tallent said his family understands his need to do each job well.

"If I"m not working here at school, I'm either away at drills or working at the farm," he said. "They don't like the time that I'm away, but I think they understand I enjoy the military aspect, and I do feel I have a responsibility to the country as well. These are the things I enjoy doing."