Mike Mathes 2016 KSSA Distinguished Service Award

 

On Wednesday, January 20, 2016, The Kansas School Superintendents’ Association held its annual luncheon to recognize Excellence in School Leadership. Each year KSSA presents the Distinguished Service Award to a superintendent for outstanding contributions to the organization and profession. This year KSSA honored Topeka Seaman Superintendent Mike Mathes with the Distinguished Service Award. Mike was nominated by a young superintendent who shared, Mike “inspired and help guide me through my first few years as a superintendent.”

 

Mathes a graduate of Fort Hays State University, began teaching in central Kansas and Nebraska before starting in the Seaman school district in 1993 as an assistant principal at Seaman High School. He later moved to Logan Junior High as principal in ‘95. In 2000, Mike moved to the district office as assistant superintendent and took the rains as superintendent in 2002. Mathes will be retiring from his post as superintendent at the conclusion of the 2015-2016 school year.

 

KSSA President and fellow superintendent from Pittsburg, Kansas, Destry Brown shared he was the right person at the right time when Mathes served as president of KSSA in 2011. He brought a voice to the association and moved KSSA to the forefront of education leadership in Kansas. In 2012 Mathes was also named as the KSSA Superintendent of the Year. To be a great educational leader an individual must have the courage to make the difficult decision and conviction to do what’s right for kids, Mike has been that individual for KSSA and we thank him for his services to our association, KSSA Executive Director, G.A. Buie