Ron Lankford - A love of public education

Ron Lankford serves as deputy commissioner for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Ron Lankford serves as deputy commissioner for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

A legacy of love for public education runs in Ron Lankford's family.

His mother was a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse. His daughter is a kindergarten teacher. And he, himself, has served in Missouri's public education system for 42 years.

As deputy commissioner for the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Lankford oversees the division responsible for distributing all federal and state funds to local school districts and other agencies that provide education-related services.

Recently, he was named one of Southwest Missouri's Pathfinders, a list of 10 men and women recognized as leaders in their fields. In a recent edition of a magazine published by the Joplin Globe, Lankford was called one of the most respected educators in Southwest Missouri. The award was designed to recognize people who have made a long-term, positive community impact.

One of the many projects Lankford was credited for helping create was the Southwest Center for Educational Excellence; the idea brought together numerous school districts to explore improvement strategies. By chipping in $3 per student for professional development, several smaller schools were able to help one another. Although it was launched with only a handful of districts, now more than 40 are involved. The center has sold a curriculum it developed to about half the school districts in Missouri.

He's an "outstanding example of an effective educator," said Margie Vandeven, commissioner of education. "This recognition comes as no surprise to anyone who knows Ron and has worked with him."

Lankford, 65, said his work ethic came from his dad, a farmer. Although he lacked a high school degree, Lankford's father was an efficient manager, a tireless worker and a dedicated family man.

"I learned it's not what you have; it's what you do with what you have," he said.

His mother inspired his love of learning. "She had this love for education and this love for bettering herself," he said. "And she took pride in her family."

He wanted to be a educator from the time he was a teenager; in his high school yearbook, a peer wrote: "I know you will be a very good teacher."

After growing up in Seneca, Lankford's first post-college job was a social studies teacher/counselor for the Harrisburg School District. After working there briefly, he returned to his native Southwest Missouri, taking a job first near Neosho and later in Webb City.

Lankford spent 33 years as an administrator in Webb City, 12 of them as superintendent before his retirement.

But it wasn't long before the state was seeking his skills and he was asked to work for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

"My first inclination was to say no, but then I reflected on it, and I decided I still had good energy levels," he said. "And my wife (Carolyn Lankford) has always been so supportive."

Although he has maintained his home in Webb City, Lankford travels to Jefferson City weekly to do his job, which he took in August 2010.

He said his work in Jefferson City is different from serving as superintendent - it lacks the opportunities to interact with students and their families - but he enjoys it nonetheless.

"It's nothing like what I used to do (as superintendent)," he said, noting he stayed in Webb City long enough to teach three generations. "There's just such a reward in seeing them grow up."