RUSSELLVILLE - The motto "Let us lead by serving others" belongs to more than just Beta Club.
"I've tried to live by that as well," said Jerry Hobbs, retiring superintendent at Russellville schools.
During his 26 years as an educator, Hobbs has made it a priority to give of his time and money, as well as doing his job.
But that attitude was honed into a life motto when the state Beta Club council chose to name St. Jude's as its permanent fundraising project. That same year, Hobbs was in his third of 23 years on the council. And his 3-year-old son, Joe, was battling cancer.
"That convinced me this is a great organization," Hobbs said.
When he arrived at Russellville seven years ago, he immediately set out to establish a club. And he has encouraged surrounding school districts to do the same.
"Students learn the importance to give back and serve others as a good way of life - not just something you do in school, but a lifelong goal," Hobbs said.
He and his family have modeled that lifestyle through the years, continuing to donate to St. Jude's, Beta Club activities and other school-based fundraisers. They also look out for their neighbors and coworkers, lending a hand with food, clothing or bills when someone needed help, he said.
In recent years, Russellville has experienced several tragedies, including unexpected death, fire and long-term medical needs. Hobbs said he has been pleased to be part of a community that shares his view of helping one another.
As he leaves the school this month, he is satisfied that the new school foundation will help further teacher efforts with grants. And his donation of $1,000 worth of football equipment will help grow the community's hope of a future high school football program.
"I want to help our school be the best it can be," Hobbs said.
That has been a long road from when he first arrived in Russellville. They were in the lowest one-third of state schools using the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) school improvement measure, and now Russellville is in the top four with a 99.6 percent score.
"That's what I'm most proud of," Hobbs said. "Parents know when they bring their kids here they will get a good education."
Building school community and pride were essential to such progress. Hobbs' first efforts were in the elementary building, painting, cleaning, improving the smell and making long-needed repairs.
He worked to create a school brand, complete with a specific shade of blue and an approved Indian logo. Blue and white shirts flood the hallways, and a new track facility reflects the community's buy-in to support the school.
"In seven years, we've done a lot of major accomplishments," Hobbs said.
Through the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) model, teachers also have shared in that renewed sense of community and pride. Administration and staff opened a comfortable exchange of ideas and created a focus on student achievement. In January they were honored by DESE as an Outstanding PLC School.
Looking at data and evaluating programs for effectiveness have made a difference, he said.
"We don't point fingers but work with teachers to help them improve and provide them with additional resources," Hobbs said.
He hopes the success will continue as new administration takes over.
"My time at Russellville has been the most rewarding and the place I've enjoyed being the most," Hobbs said.
But he is not leaving education.
Later this summer, Hobbs will become the Missouri Education Reform Council lobbyist.
A statewide bus tour with several legislators a few years ago opened the door for the once-social studies teacher to get back to his roots.
He hopes as a lobbyist, he will be able to help school districts and legislators look for ways to improve education for all Missouri students.
"It's a big task; many things need to be done," he said.