C.J. Huff

C.J. Huff currently serves as the superintendent of Joplin Schools, in Joplin, Mo., a position he has held since July 2008. Huff's wide range of experiences as a classroom teacher, building principal, superintendent and a family farmer prepared him to lead his district of 1,100 employees and 7,700 students through the recovery effort that has followed the devastating May 22, 2011 tornado that ripped through the heart of Joplin. The tornado destroyed or damaged 10 of the 19 buildings in his district leaving over half of his students without a school to return to on May 23. The Joplin Schools family suffered loss more precious than the buildings though; they lost a staff member and seven students to the storm. His declaration that “We will start school on time” is credited as a key factor that drew the community of Joplin together just days after the tornado and provided a positive light for the country to rally around in the midst of such tragedy and destruction. A native of McCune, Kansas, Huff earned his bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Pittsburgh State University, his master and specialist in education from Missouri State University. Most recently he earned his doctorate in education with a focus in educational leadership from the University of Arkansas in 2003.