Suzanne Richardson will be the new senior director of Jefferson College’s Area Technical School and its Early College Program.
Richardson, 45, who works at Bayless High School in St. Louis County as director of secondary school counseling, will start her job at Jefferson College on July 1. She will be paid an $80,358 annual salary.
The previous director of the college’s Area Technical School was Darrell Kyle, who left after the 2020-2021 school year. His annual salary was $66,248.
Since that time, Allan Wamsley, dean of integrated planning and academic services, has absorbed the ATS director duties, said Chris DeGeare, the college’s vice president of instruction.
DeGeare said Richardson will handle an expanded position, overseeing not only the college’s Area Technical School but also its Early College Program, which allows high school students to earn college credit.
“Ms. Richardson has a wealth of experience in teaching and leadership,” DeGeare said. “I am looking forward to her joining the college.”
Richardson has worked in the Bayless School District since 2014. Before taking over as that district’s director of secondary school counseling, she was an assistant principal, A-Plus coordinator and school counselor. From 2009-2014 she worked as a guidance counselor and district character education leader in the Jefferson R-7 School District.
From 2002-2009, she was counselor and district guidance director for Bayless, and from 1998-2002, she taught high school social studies in the Dunklin R-5 School District.
Richardson also has coached sports teams and sponsored various other extracurricular activities during her career.
She lives in Hillsboro with her husband, Kevin, and their two children.
Richardson said she is eager to start her new job close to home.
“I reside in Jefferson County and I grew up in Jefferson County, in
De Soto,” she said. “I graduated from De Soto High School in 1994.
“The position of director of ATS intrigued me because it aligns directly with my passion for education and learning.”
Richardson has a specialist degree in administration and a master’s degree in secondary administration from Southeast Missouri State University, a master’s degree in education counseling from Missouri Baptist University and a bachelor’s degree in social science education degree from Central Methodist University.
The college Board of Trustees voted 5-0 Jan. 13 to hire Richardson for the ATS and early college director job.