Greenwood Laboratory School is excited to announce the addition of two sports in the year of 2022. In the spring of 2022, Greenwood is stepping up to the plate and starting baseball. The Bluejays will be coached by Missouri Sports Hall of Fame coach John Hartley. Coach Hartley is widely known in the Midwest for his successful coaching. A graduate of Central High School, Coach Hartley boasts 1,143 wins as a high school, legion, and travel ball baseball coach. He has taken teams to the Final Four six times, has worked with 75 professional players and over 500 collegiate players. He coached at Willard High School from 1985-2007. He has hosted coaching clinics and been a mentor to many young coaches in the area. He also coached successfully at College of the Ozarks and New Covenant Academy. He has been working extensively with the Marucci Midwest Baseball and Softball program. Perhaps Coach Hartley states it best as he says enthusiastically, “To begin Greenwood Bluejay baseball in year one is awesome and unexpected. Working with the administrative team of Ron Snodgrass, Jeni Hopkins and Darren Taylor is special and I thank them for this opportunity. I look forward to working with the students of Greenwood. Go Jays Baseball!” Coach Hartley is married to Julie, and they have two children, Kelly, and Tyler.
Greenwood will also begin the sport of VOLLEYBALL in the Fall of 2022. A coach has not officially been named and will be in the coming school year. Both opportunities for our students will continue to enhance our mission and vision to educate the total student and future engaged citizens.
Leadership Changes
There has also been a leadership change at Greenwood Laboratory School. Dr. Ron Snodgrass, a veteran educator and former Assistant Director has taken over the position of Interim Director of Greenwood Laboratory School. The previous Director, Dr. Janice Duncan, served in that role for the past 16 years. The initiatives and actions of her leadership have left a mark and impact on Greenwood for years to come and we thank her for efforts as she led our institution. Dr. Snodgrass took over July 1, 2021 and has hit the ground running with plans to continue the excellent traditions of Greenwood. Dr. Snodgrass retired in 2015 from Springfield Public School after 29 years of service as an administrator at Jarrett, Hillcrest, Pleasant View and Central High School where he was principal for 7 years. He is also a referee in the Big 10 football conference and has been officiating football for over 30 years. “As the Director of Greenwood, I look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence inside and outside the classroom.”
The newly appointed Interim Assistant Director will be Jeni Hopkins. Jeni Hopkins has been in education for nearly 30 years, having been a counselor and coach at Greenwood (1992-2000) and Hillcrest High School (2000-2016). She returned to her alma mater, Greenwood, in 2016 as the Secondary Counselor. “I am thrilled to be at Greenwood and work with the caliber of students and staff that walk these halls. It is a great place to be, and I am excited to embrace this new role.”
Greenwood Laboratory School was established in 1908 and is a proud part of the College of Education on the campus of Missouri State University.
