A familiar face to Springfield Public Schools (SPS) students and families is the new leader of Greenwood Laboratory School.

Dr. Ronald Snodgrass, an educator with more than 30 years of experience, will assume the role of director June 1. Snodgrass has served as interim director since July 2021.

“I’m humbled and honored to be named the new director of Greenwood,” Snodgrass said. “Greenwood has a family atmosphere and is a special and unique place.

“Greenwood’s reputation of academic excellence will be of the utmost importance to maintain in the future. I look forward to working with the outstanding faculty currently in place to move the school to new heights and provide the best learning opportunities for our students.”

Educator brings teaching and administrative experience to the role

Snodgrass first came to work at Greenwood as the assistant director in August 2015. Prior to that, he was a teacher and administrator with SPS for 29 years, a tenure that included stops as an assistant principal at Jarrett Middle School and Hillcrest High School.

He also served as a principal for 14 years at Central High School, and Pleasant View Elementary and Middle Schools.

Under his leadership at Pleasant View, the school earned several awards, including:

• Accomplished School Award.
• Gold Star nominee.
• Top 10 Highest Performing School.
• Top 10 Most Improved in Communications Arts.

During his tenure at Central High School, the school earned silver and gold medals from U.S. News & World Report, and Snodgrass was named an Outstanding Administrator-Counselor Advocate.

Dr. Barri Tinkler, dean of the Missouri State University College of Education, said she’s glad Snodgrass is continuing the work he started a year ago.

“Ron brings a wealth of school leadership experience to this role,” Tinkler said. “He’s been an excellent interim director this past year and we’re lucky to have him continuing as the director.”

Snodgrass completed his bachelor’s, master’s and educational specialist degrees at Missouri State. He completed his doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy analysis at the University of Missouri.