Poplar Bluff Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman took the opportunity to introduce himself during the annual back-to-school convocation, challenging each staff member—no matter their vantage point—to become a champion for a student.

“Everyone deserves a champion,” Cornman said to around 800 employees on Monday, Aug. 14, in the gymnasium at PBHS. Cornman hit the ground running in July, beginning his 23rd year full-time in public education, most of which has been spent in the superintendent ranks. Over the summer, he led a dozen speaking engagements with community leaders during what he dubbed his listen, learn, lead tour. 

Cornman, a Gideon native, shared a story of his late father, Jimmy, who was born into poverty. Jimmy, along with 11 siblings, helped farm to make ends meet – and did not have plumbing for a portion of his childhood, having bunked on a dirt floor. His champion was a bus driver, who would check in on him periodically, according to Cornman.

“It was all because of a school bus driver,” stated Cornman, showing a viral clip from a TED Talk by education author and speaker Dr. Rita Pierson, entitled ‘Every Kid Needs a Champion.’ “…I firmly believe my life would be totally different if it wasn’t for someone being a champion for kids.”

Despite the hardships, Jimmy joined the U.S. Army, served as an ordained minister and was a lifelong educator in schools across Southeast Missouri, ending his tenure as special services director in Malden. Two current administrators of the Poplar Bluff school system remember having him as a teacher in South Pemiscot County, Cornman pointed out.

Today a total of 13 college degrees, two of which were doctorates, have been amassed among Jimmy and wife Carolyn’s children and their spouses. Of their nine grandchildren, seven college degrees have been acquired thus far, two of which are master’s degrees. Of the remaining two, one grandchild is currently enrolled in college and the other is preparing for medical school.

Prior to Cornman’s state-of-the-schools address, board president Ken Davis welcomed the faculty and staff, noting that the school board has aimed to hire the “best and brightest” over the years in order to make Poplar Bluff a destination school. “I feel we’ve done that,” Davis stated.

The event kicked off with more than 25 faith-based partners of the ministerial alliance joining in prayer over the school system. The PBHS JROTC presented the colors and Middle School students led the Pledge of Allegiance. Several partnering organizations gave out door prizes.

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Cutline: R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman shares that he is “one generation out of poverty,” pointing to a childhood photo of his father, the late Jimmy Cornman.