Willard, MO Schools

11/03/2026

Willard Public Schools is excited to welcome Officer Ben King as our new Director of School Police!

A Springfield native, Officer King brings more than 23 years of law enforcement experience and a strong background in leadership, public safety, and community service to his new role.

Officer King began his law enforcement career with the Springfield Police Department in 1994, serving until his retirement in 2017. Throughout his career, he held a variety of positions and leadership roles, including assignments in patrol, undercover narcotics, internal affairs, community-oriented policing, and special investigations. He advanced through the ranks to Captain, where he oversaw uniformed operations on Springfield's south side, leading approximately 110 sworn officers.

Following his retirement from law enforcement, Officer King spent nine years as a Mortgage Loan Originator with Gershman Mortgage, helping individuals and families navigate the home buying process.

Officer King earned his bachelor's degree from Missouri State University in 1994 and his master's degree from Webster University in 2007.

Outside of work, Officer King enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife, Paige, are high school sweethearts who celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary in July. They have one daughter, Saylor, who recently married in May.

We are excited to have Officer King join the Willard family and look forward to the experience, leadership, and commitment to safety he brings to our students, staff, and school community.

Join us in welcoming Officer King to Willard Schools!

10/29/2026

A special day at Willard Middle School! We celebrated the ribbon cutting of our new library, creating an exciting space for students to learn, explore, and discover a love of reading. Here’s to new beginnings and endless possibilities!

10/27/2026

Looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students? We have several openings on our Special Education team!

Current opportunities include Essential Skills Paraprofessionals at North, Central, and Orchard Hills Elementary, an Educational Interpreter (ASL), an Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional, and a Registered Behavior Technician.

If you’re passionate about supporting students and helping every learner succeed, we’d love to have you join !

Apply today: https://www.willardschools.net/our-district/jobs

10/27/2026

In this Willard in Focus, we take a closer look at Willard PD Days. What are they, and why are they important? These professional development days give our teachers and staff time to learn, collaborate, plan, and grow—all to better support student success across Willard Schools!

10/25/2026

Every child deserves a strong start!

Willard Parents as Teachers is here to support families, encourage learning, and help little Tigers grow from the very beginning.

10/22/2026

Willard Middle School is celebrating the grand opening of its newly renovated library on Tuesday, October 27, during Student-Led Conferences!

The celebration will kick off with a ribbon cutting at 3:00 PM, and families are invited to explore the new space and be among the first to check out a book!

The evening will also feature root b**r floats, free books, a photo booth, and a special one-night-only swag drop featuring the new WMS Library Cup!

Plus, be sure to stop by the carnival in the new gym while you're there!

Come celebrate these exciting new spaces at Willard Middle School!

Who is ready for this grand opening?!
WMS SURE IS!

Join us! 📚

10/22/2026

Check out these Willard Middle School students who got a real-world learning opportunity at a local manufacturer this week! The future is bright!

10/16/2026

Today we're recognizing our district leaders who work hard every day to make Willard Public Schools a great place to learn and work!

Thank you for your leadership, dedication, and continued support of our students, staff, and families. Your commitment to our schools and the Willard community makes a difference every day.

We appreciate all you do to support the mission!

10/13/2026

Our Teacher Proud Tuesday recipient for October is Cori Jett, 7th and 8th grade Social Studies and ELA teacher at Willard Middle School!

Cori leads with patience, kindness, and a genuine commitment to knowing each of her students as individuals. She works hard to meet students where they are, understand what they need to be successful, and find meaningful ways to help them grow.

Her dedication extends well beyond the classroom. Cori invests countless hours supporting her students and makes it a priority to build strong relationships with families, including reaching out to celebrate the positive things their children are doing.

We are proud to recognize Cori for the care and dedication she brings to her students, families, and colleagues each day. We are grateful to have her as part of the Willard team!

10/07/2026

We’re hiring!

Willard High School is looking for a Counseling/Activities Secretary to join our team!

This position supports both counseling and activities operations and is a great fit for someone who is organized, detail-oriented, flexible, and enjoys working with students, staff, families, and our community. From supporting graduation and A+ requirements to helping coordinate athletics, activities, facilities, and events, no two days will look quite the same!

📌 220-day position
📌 High school diploma or equivalent required; associate’s degree preferred
📌 Minimum 3 years of secretarial and/or customer service experience desired
📌 Occasional evenings and weekends required

Ready to join ? Apply today!

👉 www.willardschools.net/careers