Jeri Kay Hardy, 39

Jerri Kay Hardy is not a new face to the education system in Missouri's Bootheel. She is a 1994 graduate of Senath-Hornersville High School and has, since 2002, worked in education throughout the region.

When Jeri Kay was only in third grade at Kennett Elementary School, she was inspired by her teacher, Judy Montgomery, whose classroom motto was to always do your best. She has tried to live by that motto since.

"I believe whatever you do, you should strive for excellence. If I come to work and half-way do my job, then these kids aren't receiving the education they deserve," she explained.

Her parents also instilled in her that same desire- to strive to do the best she can.

That drive for excellence was evidenced this past Fall when she was honored as the Southeast Emerging New Principal by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals. High school principals still in their first three years of administration are eligible for the award.

After high school, Jeri Kay began pursuing a bachelor of science degree in political science from Arkansas State University-Jonesboro which she completed in 1998.

For the next few years, she worked for the Missouri Child Support Enforcement and the Missouri Division of Family Services.

During her time working with families through child support and family services, Jeri Kay noticed that many were in need of assistance due to low educational attainment. She felt that by working in education, she could help improve those situations.

After receiving alternative certification, Hardy began teaching Title 1 reading at Senath-Hornersville. In 2006, she completed a second bachelor of science degree, this time in education from Southeast Missouri State University. Jeri Kay has also earned a master's degree in elementary education and a specialization in educational administration, both from SEMO. Currently, she is pursuing a doctorate of educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri.

While at Senath-Hornersville, Jeri Kay wrote a grant for the Reading First program and once that was awarded, she became the school's Reading First coach. She has also served as the A+ coordinator for the District and as academic coach.

In 2007, her duties became administrative in nature. Beginning in 2009, she played a role in the "Turn around team" through the University of Virginia. This organization helped to improve academic scores in order to adequately meet state guidelines.

For the 2011- 2012 school year, Hardy served as assistant elementary principal at Senath-Hornersville and in 2012, was hired as the high school principal for the Malden R-I School District.

She credits her husband Rick for supporting her in all her academic pursuits and explains that, when needed, he gives her the extra encouragement she to stay motivated, and has always helped take care of their children when she is unable to.

"He's probably my biggest cheerleader."

Their daughter Candice is a 17 year old senior in the Senath-Hornersville School District and their son Cole is a 16 year old student at Malden High School who came to the District the same year Jeri Kay did.

Jeri Kay has some goals in mind for the Malden School District and the students they help educate. She plans to continue to ensure that the students within the District receive the best education possible.

"I believe we have one of the best Districts in Southeast Missouri," she declared continuing that she plans to strive to be the best District in the entire state of Missouri.

She hopes student expectations continue to rise and whole heartedly believes that Malden students will meet and exceed the expectations their teachers and administrators have for them.

"I believe our students will rise to the expectations. They will not only graduate, but be productive citizens."

She explained that she believes when students leave Malden School, they have received the best, well-rounded education explaining that not everything is just about test scores, but it is important that students learn life skills along with academic knowledge.

Her personal goals include completing her doctorate which should be done in December of this year.

Her daughter will be graduating from high school this semester and then starting college and her son will soon follow, Jeri Kay plans to continue to be supportive of them in whatever endeavors they choose.

As a family, they have always enjoyed traveling together and she hopes to continue to do that. They have visited Disney World, the Dominican Republic, California, Myrtle Beach, and Arizona, with the Grand Canyon and the San Diego Zoo being a couple of their favorite stops. She and her daughter recently returned from a trip to Cozumel, Mexico. They enjoyed traveling with two of her daughter's friends celebrating their upcoming graduation. For the second year in a row, the family has spent a portion of Christmas Break in Wisconsin snow tubing.

She has also been able to travel on Beta Convention trips with the Malden School District. She especially enjoys these trips and is pleased that the students have the opportunity to see sights and have experiences that they may never again have.

Jeri Kay explains that her true hobby and passion is her work, but that she also enjoys reading. Though recently, her reading list has mostly consisted of doctoral writings, she is still an avid reader who only recalls leaving one book in her entire lifetime unfinished.

She and her husband are also active at their church, The Bridge, in Kennett where they teach the College and Career Readiness class that is for high school seniors through college age students.

Jeri Kay loves what she does for a living and has worked hard to be in the position she is in.

"I've never had a day when I didn't want to come to work," she states of her career in education.