Dr. Ivy named first statewide Principal of the Year for PBHS
Poplar Bluff High School’s first female principal in history has become the district’s first-ever statewide secondary Principal of the Year.
Dr. Valerie Ivy was named the 2026 Dr. Jim L. King High School Principal of the Year, officials of the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals announced Tuesday, Jan. 20, before the entire staff at PB Connect, an internal professional development workshop Ivy helped found.
“This accolade reflects exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment, serving as a shining example of one of the dedicated educators you have here at Poplar Bluff,” proclaimed Dr. John Boyd, Jr. of Ste. Genevieve, MoASSP president-elect and past Missouri High School Principal of the Year.
Ivy was formally recognized as Principal of the Year for the Southeast region of the organization in September at a conference in Columbia, after being similarly surprised during a student body assembly last school year. Of a potential 1,300 secondary principals served by MoASSP, Ivy advanced as one of the top eight high school principals representing the Show-Me State.
As part of her nomination submission, Ivy is credited by colleagues, a parent representative, and a student for helping expand course offerings, promoting inclusivity, maintaining high visibility, involving stakeholders in key decision-making, and enhancing school safety both physically and emotionally.
“Through these strategies—collaboration, professional growth, tiered supports, restorative practices and expanded academic pathways—I am leading our school toward creating an inclusive, rigorous educational experience that prepares our students to succeed in a global, technology-driven economy,” Ivy wrote in response to a series of accompanying essays.
Ivy is in her ninth year serving as an administrator at her alma mater, first as assistant principal, and then head principal beginning in 2022, the year she earned her doctorate in education leadership from William Woods University in Fulton. Her tenure at Poplar Bluff Schools started in 2004, teaching at the former 5th & 6th Grade Center before she accepted a promotion a decade later to serve district-wide as instructional technology facilitator.
One of her successors in the position, Gretchen Pendley, further credits Ivy for supporting learning walks for cross-curricular collaboration, encouraging aspiring administrators to assist in the front office and aiding in the creation of a teacher resource library. “Dr. Ivy is a great advocate and exemplar for lifelong learning,” Pendley stated.
Last school year, PBHS added Project Lead the Way programming in the biomedical field, computer science and engineering with $50,000 in grants Ivy secured. She additionally has facilitated the introduction of RefReps, a course that provides students with certification in sports officiating, and expanded dual-enrollment options through the College Now program, with plans underway to increase advanced placement offerings.
During the 2023/24 school year, PBHS was recognized as a Special Olympics Unified Champions National Banner School for fostering a climate where students with and without intellectual disabilities feel welcome. While Ivy was assistant principal, PBHS held its inaugural letter banquet for Special Olympics student-athletes, and the Unified Champions club was established during her initial year as building leader.
Other progress cited on Ivy’s watch includes the implementation of an administrative probation program last school year which Assistant Principal Dr. Stephanie Kuper attributes to reducing the number of students not meeting expectations for behavior, attendance or academics by over 200, with current numbers tracking even lower this school year.
During the October Board of Education meeting, Ivy reported a graduation rate of 93 percent, consistently exceeding the 90 percent mark each year since she joined PBHS administration. Ivy also recently led the Senior High roll-out of weapons detectors, and initiated a Youth Peer Support mentor program with community leaders. She continues the tradition of visiting regularly with Student Council.
“We see Dr. Ivy in the hallways a lot, and it makes us feel safe and supported knowing she’s around,” sophomore Aleigha Williams wrote. “… She also comes to our games, dances and other school events, which shows she really cares about what students are doing. I know I can go to Dr. Ivy if I ever have a question or concern.”
Ivy was born in Poplar Bluff and is married to her high school sweetheart, Jamie, who serves as campus security at Junior High. Their youngest child, Emmaleigh, is presently employed as a classroom assistant at the Kindergarten Center.
Upon being officially recognized during the MoASSP conference in March, Ivy will be honored in Washington, D.C., among 50 top principals across the country – only one of whom will go on to be named the national high school Principal of the Year. The recognition program was established in 1986. MoASSP celebrated its centennial in 2025.
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Cutline: Dr. Valerie Ivy (center) receives surprise recognition from Drs. John Boyd, Jr. and Jamie LaMonds on behalf of MoASSP prior to the keynote address during the 11th annual PB Connect on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Poplar Bluff High School.