James Michael McLeod of Imboden retired in May of 2020 from 50 years of service in education. He was recently honored by the Imboden Area Charter School in Imboden where Mr. McLeod worked as a counselor and special education teacher for the past 11 years. Mike McLeod is a 1966 graduate of Sloan-Hendrix High School who went on to college to become a teacher. Mr. McLeod began his career as a history teacher in 1970, he then went on to further his education and has served as a principal, superintendent, adjunct graduate student instructor, classroom aide, counselor, and special education teacher over the years.
Mike McLeod is also a talented musician who can be seen playing many local venues on the weekend.
He recently posted this message of thanks on his Facebook page….
“I was so honored yesterday, I was summoned to the charter school where I worked for the last 11 years of my 50 years as an educator and was presented this hard bound book of stories written and illustrated by the 4th and 5th grade student in Mrs Belinda Hollis’ class. Mrs. Hollis has for the past few years let the students write short stories and illustrate them and get them published in a hard cover book. This is just one of the many reasons that the Imboden Area Charter School is an excellent choice for parents in Lawrence, Randolph, and Sharp Counties to send their children for an excellent education. IACS is an open enrollment tuition free public Charter School for Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. They emphasize individual learning and have been recognized for their achievement in progress for Literacy and math. They provide general education, special education, counseling, art, music, physical education,and keyboarding. There is an active PTO, they provide transportation, free and reduced breakfast and lunches. While I retired on May 27, 2020, I am still very interested in seeing this 18 year educational institution continue to thrive. I encourage anyone who wants their children to get a great educational experience to check it out.â€
“I feel very honored and humbled to be in the company of all the great educators. The following are my stats:
Years as an educator- 50
Jobs held- 7-12 social studies, 7-12 principal, superintendent, adjunct graduate student instructor, classroom aide, counselor, special education teacher
Degrees-BSE social studies, MSE secondary administration, Specialist superintendent, Masters School Counseling, graduate certificate Special Education.
Certifications- lifetime Social Studies 5-12, Secondary Principal lifetime,Superintedent lifetime, Counselor K-12 lifetime, Special Education K-12 lifetime
Schools worked- Cape Girardeau Central,Mo. Mountain Grove,Mo.,Houston High School, Mo., Couch Schools, Mo. Williford Schools, Ar., Fair Play schools, Mo., Koshkonog Schools ,Mo., Iberia Schools,Mo., William Woods University, Lindenwood University, and Imboden Area Charter School, Ar.
And now retirement University. “