Dr. Copeland will be Cape's Asst. Superintendent

Dr. Sherry Copeland of St. Joseph, MO, has been selected to replace Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Pat Fanger at Cape Girardeau Public Schools. Ms Fanger is retiring this summer. Dr. Copeland is presently Director of the Regional Professional Development Center at Missouri Western State University.

Copeland is not new to Cape Girardeau, having received her teacher certification in 1988 in social studies and art from Southeast Missouri State University, and a master's degree in counseling in 2001. She received her psychological examiner certification in 2002, also at Southeast. She earned a specialist degree in educational administration and leadership in 2005 at St. Louis University, and in 2006 that same university conferred her doctoral degree in educational administration and leadership. Her dissertation was titled, "A Policy Analysis of School Funding from 1992 to Present."

Dr. Copeland earned her high school diploma in 1973 at Lee's Summit High School and went on to graduate from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1978 with a bachelor of arts degree in political science. She has a total of 21 years of educational experience. "We are very pleased to announce her selection as the next Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction," said Dr. Jim Welker, superintendent of schools. She served as the assistant superintendent at Caruthersville School District, and as a counselor/psychological examiner and classroom instructor at New Madrid County School District.

A veteran of 30 years in education, Ms. Fanger said she is "looking forward to retirement." She and her family moved to Cape Girardeau eight years ago from the St. Louis area. She accepted the position of curriculum coordinator at Cape Public Schools, and was subsequently appointed Assistant Superintendent. "It's been a rewarding career. I've thoroughly enjoyed my relationship with Cape's amazing teachers, and I definitely will miss them," she said. "We've seen a lot of changes in education, and I know this wonderful team of educators is more than ready to meet the challenges ahead."