Education was celebrated as a key contributor to defense community quality of life and overall mission readiness earlier this month at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., during the Wings Over Whiteman Air Show.
Officials from Knob Noster Public Schools, which serves the installation’s community, as well as several federal and state policy makers, gathered to recognize the high-performing education programs and partnerships that are helping support military-connected students and the installation.
Former Congressman John Kline of the Every Student Succeeds Act, Christi Ham, Chairwoman of Military Families for High Standards, Joe Driskill, President of the Association of Defense Communities, and Jim Cowan, Executive Director of the Collaborative for Student Success, joined Col. Jeffrey Schreiner, Commander of the 509th Bomb Wing, and Jerrold Wheeler, Knob Noster Public Schools Superintendent, to highlight recent advancements which have significantly enhanced quality of education serving the installation.
Over the last four years, Knob Noster Public Schools has implemented highly successful programs in STEM, robotics, advanced placement, cybersecurity, aviation, computer science, leadership and character education. As rigor and relevance was increased through these programs, Knob Noster students responded with overwhelmingly positive results. The students’ performance led to Knob Noster High School being recognized as Missouri’s top rural school in 2019.
“In Knob Noster and Whiteman Air Force Base, we know strong schools and strong installations go hand in hand,” Knob Noster Public Schools Superintendent Jerrod Wheeler said. “Serving the students and families of Whiteman Air Force Base and strengthening the mission is a responsibility every member of our Knob Noster team takes seriously.”
With the community’s continued educational success, the district is also under consideration for the prestigious Pete Taylor National Partnership of Excellence Award through the Military Child Education Coalition.
“Through our partnerships, innovation and collective commitment, we have transformed Knob Noster Public Schools into one of the top school districts in Missouri and one of the top heavily military-impacted school districts in the country,” Wheeler said.
Photo provided by Knob Noster Public Schools