(From the Diamond R-4 School District)As some of you know Mrs. Cindy Sprague announced in January that she is retiring this June after 29 total years in education with the past 20 years served in Diamond. Congratulations Cindy and thank you for your 20 years of service to our Diamond R-IV Schools!
She served in Wildcat Nation for her first three years as a 3rd grade teacher, before moving into the roles of a literacy coach for two years and was Diamonds first A+ Coordinator.
The past 15 years Cindy has served as our CIA Director, Federal Programs Coordinator, and Core Data/MOSIS State Reporter.
With her retirement we re-evaluated each of Cindy’s current roles and the needs of our district. Last night our Board of Education (BOE) unanimously approved some exciting changes with the CIA Director position to be renamed the Executive Director of Learning for our district with Dr. Ficken being transferred to this updated role and Dr. Alyssa Kennedy being transferred to replace Dr. Ficken as the High School principal starting in the 2025-2026 school year.
We are very excited our BOE last night also unanimously rehired and retained all of our incredible principals/directors and looking forward to great student growth and improvements as we continue to Be The Change!
Originally from St. Louis, MO, Dr. Anthony Ficken relocated to Joplin in 2010 and earned his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Missouri Southern State University. He later returned to Missouri Southern, earning a Master of Science in Educational Administration in 2020. Committed to continuous learning, he pursued his doctoral studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia, completing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in 2024.
After six years as a teacher in the Joplin School District, Dr. Ficken transitioned into educational leadership, joining the Diamond School District in 2021 as the K-12 Assistant Principal and Dean of Students. Shortly after, he transitioned into the role of High School Principal, where he has served for the past three years. His passion for leadership development and student success drove him toward educational administration.
Dr. Ficken firmly believes that fostering leadership among staff empowers teachers to drive meaningful change. His leadership philosophy centers on cultivating a positive school culture by supporting principals, teachers, and students, ensuring an environment where learning and growth thrive.
"I'm honored to step into the role of Executive Director of Learning and provide meaningful support to the Diamond School District. This district has become an integral part of my life, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its growth and success.
From the strong sense of family to the engaging community, I look forward to continuing this journey and helping shape the future of Diamond Schools.
Dr. Kennedy holds a Bachelor's in Biology from Drury University, a Master's in Curriculum & Instruction from Lindenwood University, a Specialist in Education from Arkansas State University, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. This is her 14th year in education serving in multiple roles both in teaching and coaching. As Assistant Principal at Diamond Middle School and Diamond High School for the last two years, she has played a pivotal role in school safety coordination, student accountability, Title IX compliance, and academic achievement. Dr. Kennedy has dedicated her career to fostering positive school culture, enhancing educator development, and implementing student-centered strategies for success.
Prior to her position at Diamond, Dr. Kennedy spent the majority of her career as a high school science teacher and Head Girls Basketball Coach. She also served as a Medicine & Healthcare instructor in the GO CAPS Monett program, providing students with hands-on learning experiences in the medical field. Most recently, Dr. Kennedy was an Instructional Coach in the Aurora R-8 School District, where she was passionate about supporting teacher growth and development.
"I am truly honored to step into the role as Principal at Diamond High School. Over the last two years, I have had the privilege of working alongside our dedicated staff, incredible students, and supportive community. I look forward to building on our successes, fostering a positive student-centered school culture, and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive as a Wildcat. Thank you to Dr. White and our Board of Education for trusting me to lead DHS!"
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