Full Name
Dr. C.J. Huff
Job Title
Co-Founder
Company
Bright Futures USA
Speaker Bio
Dr. C.J. Huff is an educator with over 20 years of experience as a classroom teacher, building principal, and superintendent of schools. Originally a farmer from McCune, KS, Dr. Huff earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University, his master’s and Specialist degree in Education from Missouri State University, and his Doctorate in Education with a focus in Educational Leadership from the University of Arkansas in 2003.
On May 22, 2011, at 5:41 pm, the costliest tornado in US history hit Joplin, Missouri. This EF-5 tornado with winds in excess of 200 mph devasted the community, killing 161 community members, including 7 students and a staff member, in just 32 minutes. As a school system, 10 of the 19 schools in his district were damaged or destroyed. Dr. Huff was responsible for successfully leading his district of 1,100 employees and 7,700 students through the community response and recovery effort that followed. His declaration that “We will start school on time” is credited with being a key factor that drew the community of Joplin together just days after the tornado and provided a positive light for the country to rally around in the midst of such tragedy and destruction. As a result of his leadership, Dr. Huff’s resolve was recognized by leaders across the nation..
“After all, a lot of you could’ve spent your senior year scattered throughout different schools, far from home. But Dr. Huff asked everyone to pitch in so that school started on time, right here in Joplin. He understood the power of this community and the power of place.” - President Barack Obama
“I hope I would have had a little of C.J.’s toughness, commitment, and tenacity had I been faced with a similar situation.” – U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan
“With unwavering courage and unshakable resolve, C.J. has led the Joplin Schools forward. He has been an inspiration to us all. I’m proud to have worked closely in partnership with C.J., and I’m even more proud to call him my friend.” – Missouri Governor Jay Nixon
“He [C.J. Huff] is a model for those who study resilience.” - U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen
Retiring from Joplin Schools in July 2015, Dr. Huff serves as a subject matter expert to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the United States Department of Education, supporting response and recovery efforts following some of the nation’s most devastating natural disasters in recent history. This includes extensive response and recovery support following Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Michael, California wildfires (Paradise, CA), and the 2023 tornadoes in both Arkansas and Mississippi. In addition, he serves as the Senior Advisor to SafeandSoundSchools.Org, which was born out of the Sandy Hook tragedy in Newtown, CT.
However, his greatest passion is the work he does as the co-founder of BrightFuturesUSA.Org. As a national not-for-profit, Dr. Huff works with over seventy communities in eight states working to build local leadership and resource capacity in rural, suburban, and urban communities to address the myriad of challenges facing children and youth across the nation.
People magazine named C.J. as one of their “2011 Heroes Among Us.” Other recognitions include the 2015 “Future Ready School” recognition by the US Department of Education, the 2012 “Together for Tomorrow” award from the White House, Corporation for National and Community Service, and US Department of Education, 2012 Missouri Superintendent of the Year award, one of four finalists for the 2013 National Superintendent of the Year award, 2012 Missouri National Education Association Horace Mann Award, the National School Public Relations Association’s Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award, eSchool News 2012 Tech-Savvy Superintendent Award, Missouri Association of School Administrators 2012 Pearce Award, Missouri School Public Relations Association 2012 Administrator of the Year and the 2011 American School Board Journal Magna Award/Grand Prize Winner for Joplin’s Bright Futures initiative focusing on community engagement and drop-out prevention.
On May 22, 2011, at 5:41 pm, the costliest tornado in US history hit Joplin, Missouri. This EF-5 tornado with winds in excess of 200 mph devasted the community, killing 161 community members, including 7 students and a staff member, in just 32 minutes. As a school system, 10 of the 19 schools in his district were damaged or destroyed. Dr. Huff was responsible for successfully leading his district of 1,100 employees and 7,700 students through the community response and recovery effort that followed. His declaration that “We will start school on time” is credited with being a key factor that drew the community of Joplin together just days after the tornado and provided a positive light for the country to rally around in the midst of such tragedy and destruction. As a result of his leadership, Dr. Huff’s resolve was recognized by leaders across the nation..
“After all, a lot of you could’ve spent your senior year scattered throughout different schools, far from home. But Dr. Huff asked everyone to pitch in so that school started on time, right here in Joplin. He understood the power of this community and the power of place.” - President Barack Obama
“I hope I would have had a little of C.J.’s toughness, commitment, and tenacity had I been faced with a similar situation.” – U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan
“With unwavering courage and unshakable resolve, C.J. has led the Joplin Schools forward. He has been an inspiration to us all. I’m proud to have worked closely in partnership with C.J., and I’m even more proud to call him my friend.” – Missouri Governor Jay Nixon
“He [C.J. Huff] is a model for those who study resilience.” - U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen
Retiring from Joplin Schools in July 2015, Dr. Huff serves as a subject matter expert to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the United States Department of Education, supporting response and recovery efforts following some of the nation’s most devastating natural disasters in recent history. This includes extensive response and recovery support following Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Michael, California wildfires (Paradise, CA), and the 2023 tornadoes in both Arkansas and Mississippi. In addition, he serves as the Senior Advisor to SafeandSoundSchools.Org, which was born out of the Sandy Hook tragedy in Newtown, CT.
However, his greatest passion is the work he does as the co-founder of BrightFuturesUSA.Org. As a national not-for-profit, Dr. Huff works with over seventy communities in eight states working to build local leadership and resource capacity in rural, suburban, and urban communities to address the myriad of challenges facing children and youth across the nation.
People magazine named C.J. as one of their “2011 Heroes Among Us.” Other recognitions include the 2015 “Future Ready School” recognition by the US Department of Education, the 2012 “Together for Tomorrow” award from the White House, Corporation for National and Community Service, and US Department of Education, 2012 Missouri Superintendent of the Year award, one of four finalists for the 2013 National Superintendent of the Year award, 2012 Missouri National Education Association Horace Mann Award, the National School Public Relations Association’s Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award, eSchool News 2012 Tech-Savvy Superintendent Award, Missouri Association of School Administrators 2012 Pearce Award, Missouri School Public Relations Association 2012 Administrator of the Year and the 2011 American School Board Journal Magna Award/Grand Prize Winner for Joplin’s Bright Futures initiative focusing on community engagement and drop-out prevention.
Speaking At
