Celebrating women in education; how they’ve guided SJSD to where it’s at today

Whether a mother, a coworker or a teacher, we've all learned something from women. 

Until the 1800s, white educated men dominated the teaching profession, but as men continued to find employment in new industries and populations continued to grow in scale, women were needed for the work force. 

Women began being ushered into teaching positions by the end of the 1800s, and by the 1900s, most teachers were women. 

The St. Joseph School District has seen many women in different positions since its establishment in 1860.

The district made a huge milestone in the 2000s with the introduction of it's first female superintendent.

"I had trained under some brilliant academic leaders," said Melody Smith, SJSD's first female superintendent. "We had a really powerful curriculum team, not just a secondary team...Sherry Patterson was elementary, she was my associate superintendent once I became superintendent. We were trained by Nancy Mooney."

Smith became superintendent in 2006 and served the district until 2013. 

It wasn't until Ashly McGinnis was hired to become SJSD's superintendent beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, that the district saw another female.

In a previous interview with McGinnis, she expressed excitement to take on the role.

"Traditionally, that role has not been filled by a female, which is exciting," said McGinnis.

When it comes to women in leadership positions, SJSD Board of Education President, LaTonya Williams knows about the hard work she's had to put forth.

"As a female in leadership, it's hard," said Williams. "You need to be two times as good, or educated, as men in the field. People are going to look at that and they're going to think, "Oh my God...' But it is true, its what I live."

When asked if females are going to have to continue to work hard in education, Williams knew exactly what to answer.

"The future is very much female. Especially in our school district right now," said Williams. "So it is my wish and my hope that people get used to seeing us in leadership roles and won't expect other things of me, than you would a man who's a president."

Other than hard work and outreach, both Williams and Smith didn't get to where they were at, without the help of mentors and the inspiration of other educators.

"I learned from Nancy Mooney," said Smith. "She was a strong instructional leader, an amazing external communicator, a community. She could sit at tables and bring things to bear. She knew how to strategically bring people together."

"Loes Hedge. She used to be an educator in the school district and she's still, extremely prominent in the community," said Williams. "I was always taught that education is your key, you can do anything in life."

Williams and Smith both hope they can continue to be prominent female leaders in education, so girls and rising educators can look up to them.

"Other kids looking up, are looking at me," said Williams. "They're knowing, no matter what, it is attainable, it's achievable."

"I always lead with my heart," said Smith. "I think it was really quite noticeable, maybe to the chagrin of many, but that's who I was. I hope that was one reason I was able to matriculate to the position. You know, I never came into work as the superintendent. I just came into the work as myself."

Williams said it was the women who came before her who were inspirations to show she was able to do the same thing in education, if not more and continue to pass on the support.

"If I was not able to look at other women doing it, if I was not able to you know, to know if others are able to do this, then maybe I am too," said Williams. "And then if I was not able to get the support of other females...I mean, as a woman, I'm going to be a loud cheerleader, always, of other women."

In terms of empowering other women to field successful roles, Williams said knowing you're meant to be in a role, will pay off.

"Lot's of men will pat you on the head and tell you that this is a man's job," said Williams. "And what I say to that is, 'Then why aren't you doing a good job at it?' You just have to do it."

Smith said, in terms of how she played her role, her students are her greatest success and she's happy she was able to create community.

"That is the greatest thing I contributed to, where the students have become citizens in either this community or other communities," said Smith.

Be sure to tune in every Wednesday throughout the month of March on CBS 30 KCJO and NBC 21 KNPG to catch exclusive Women's History Month features.