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New Principal named at Jefferson Elementary

Joplin Schools

JOPLIN, Mo. – Joplin Schools is pleased to announce Kern Sorrell as the newest principal of Jefferson

Elementary.

Sorrel has served as principal of Rocky Comfort Elementary School in the McDonald County (MO)

School District since 2014. Previously, Mr. Sorrel was a K-12 administrator at Miller (MO) School

District, and principal at East Newton (MO) School District’s Triway Elementary. He began his career in

education as a teacher at East Newton, after having completed student teaching at St. Elizabeth (MO)

School District.

Sorrell is a graduate of Pea Ridge High School in Pea Ridge, Arkansas. He received a Bachelor of

Science in Education from Missouri Southern State University in 1994, followed by a Master of Art in

Education Administration from Lindenwood University in 2004, followed by a Specialist in Educational

Administration in 2015.

“I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to join the Joplin School District, the community of Joplin, and

specifically Jefferson Elementary. I look forward to meeting the educational team at Jefferson

Elementary, as well as the community that supports it,” said Sorrell.

As principal at Jefferson Elementary, Sorrel succeeds Dr. Jason Weaver, who will assume the head

principal position at Dover Hill Elementary in July 2023.

“Mr. Sorrell brings several years of successful administrative experience to Jefferson Elementary. We

believe his past work with students, staff and families will serve our district well. He’s been able to help

improve academics at his school, and his training in instruction and assessment will help Joplin

Schools continue to grow academically,” said Joplin Schools superintendent Dr. Kerry Sachetta.

Since 2017 Fred Fletcher-Fierro has driven up Highway 171 through thunderstorms, downpours, snow, and ice storms to host KRPS’s Morning Edition. He’s also a daily reporter for the station, covering city government, elections, public safety, arts, entertainment, culture, sports and more. Fred has also spearheaded and overseen a sea change in programming for KRPS from a legacy classical station to one that airs a balance of classical, news, jazz, and cultural programming that better reflects the diverse audience of the Four States. For over two months in the fall of 2022 he worked remotely with NPR staff to relaunch krps.org to an NPR style news and information website.