• Pic SCCC Logo with Z
    Mr. Jim Laughary
    Director
    South Central Career Center
    407 W. Thornburgh
    West Plains, MO 
     
    Phone: (417) 256-6152
    E-mail: jim.laughary@scccwp.org 
    Best Time to Reach Me:  7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
     
     
     Teaching Experience
     1991-1999     West Plains High School - Math Teacher/Coach
      Administrative Experience

    1999-2002      Bakersfield, MO High School Principal

    2002-2009      West Plains High School Assistant Principal
     
    2009-2012      West Plains High School Principal
     
    2012-Present   South Central Career Center Director
     
      Biography
    I was born on November 2, 1967 in Denver, CO.  My family lived in many states while I was young, including Colorado, California, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wisconsin, and Missouri before moving to Apache, Oklahoma in my elementary years. I graduated from Apache High School in 1986. My undergraduate study was completed at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, with a BA in Math Education in 1991. I earned a Masters Degree in Education Administration from Missouri State University in 1997 and a Specialist Degree from MSU in Education Administration in 2006.  In 2012 I completed the necessary coursework for Career Education Director at the University of Central Missouri.
     
    The 2018-19 school year marks my 25th year with West Plains Public Schools, and my 28th year in education.  This is also my 20th year in school administration. 
     
    I am an active member of the Brandsville church of Christ, where I serve as a Deacon, Bible Class Teacher, Song Leader and Treasurer and I also work with the Youth of the congregation.  The summer of 2018 marked my 48th and 49th sessions working with Crowley's Ridge Youth Camp as a Session Director and/or counselor since 1993.  
     
    In addition, I consider it a privilege to have served as a member of the West Plains Home Rule Charter Commission in 2013-14, with the West Plains Home Rule Charter passing overwhelmingly in April, 2014. I am also a member of the West Plains Civic Center Board and the Ridge Retreat and Adventure Center/Crowley's Ridge Youth Camp Board of Directors.
     
    Outside of church, family, friends, and school, I am a huge college football fan, especially the Oklahoma Sooners!
     
    I am married and have four children, ages 13, 16, 18, and 23 with all four being students or alumni of West Plains Schools. 
      Professional Memberships
    • Missouri Association of Career and Technical Education
    • Missouri Council of Career and Technical Administrators
    • Association of Career and Technical Education
    Professional Certifications
    *   Career Education Director
    *   9-12 Principal
    *   7-12 Mathematics 
     
      Favorite Quotes

    "It's not 'my' team...it's our team. It's not 'my' school...it's our school. It's not 'my' idea...it's our idea. Words matter." - Dr. Justin Tarte

     "If you want to teach somebody something, then you gotta have a great atmosphere for learning to take place." - Ronnie Huckeba, Harding University Football (Retired)