Special Education Teacher and Athletic Director
Reed Academy
Rich Damerson is in his ninth year as a special education teacher at Reed Academy in Springfield, Missouri, where he also serves as athletic director, coach and engagement coordinator. Dameron also promotes summer learning opportunities as Explore liaison. He also coordinates the Buddy Bears program, which partners Missouri State student-athletes with Reed students who receive special education services and who can benefit from a mentor.
Away from school, Dameron serves on the Springfield Public Schools, or SPS, Professional Learning Advisory Committee and is the vice president of the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA) Springfield Community Teachers Association. He served on the SPS Community Task Force on Facilities, which led to Springfield voter support of a $168 million bond issue in April 2019. Additionally, he has earned recognition as a certified athletic administrator by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and was selected as the MSTA Southwest District 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year.
Dameron graduated from Missouri State in 2016 with a master’s degree in educational administration. He also holds degrees in pastoral and church ministry as well as special education.