KINGDOM CITY, Mo. - Nothing is more important to Brian Jobe than family, but one has to take precedent over another.
Jobe, who has been with the North Callaway R-1 School District since 2003, has resigned after five years as principal at North Callaway High School. His resignation was accepted by the North Callaway Board of Education at its meeting last Thursday night.
Jobe - who lives in Jefferson City - is leaving to become the assistant director at Nichols Career Center, which is affiliated with Jefferson City Public Schools. The move will give Jobe more time to be involved in his children's school activities.
Jobe's son, Jaxson, is a freshman at Calvary Lutheran High School in Jefferson City. Jaxson was part of Calvary Lutheran's 3,200-meter relay team that captured a state title at the Class 1 track and field state championships over the weekend in Jefferson City. Jaxson also medalled with a sixth-place finish in the 1,600.
Jobe also has a daughter, Kennedy, who is a fifth-grader at Trinity Lutheran School in Jefferson City.
"This was the first year that it hurt my heart. I've missed an awful lot of award ceremonies and a lot of events of theirs because of my duty and obligation," Jobe said in his office Monday morning. "There's an old adage that says the cobbler's children have no shoes. Well, it's amazing that their father is an educator and yet he is unable to attend their academic award ceremonies.
"It's gotten to the point that I really want to be there for my kids, so this has been a family decision. As much as it tears me up here, I feel like Joe Montana going to the (Kansas City) Chiefs. As much as it hurts to leave, I'm bolstered by the fact that I get to be the father that I want to be."
North Callaway Superintendent Nicky Kemp noted the lasting impact Jobe has had during his time with the school district.
"Mr. Brian Jobe has been a Thunderbird for 17 years. During these years, he has touched the lives of many students, families, and colleagues," Kemp said in an emailed statement. "No matter the role Mr. Jobe had at North Callaway, he always made decisions based on what he believed was best for the students at North Callaway R-1 School District.
"His passion to help students learn - both in and out of the classroom - and develop into independent adults who can rationalize information and make educated choices, is definitely a strength of his that will be missed by the District. The North Callaway R-1 School District wishes Mr. Jobe the best in his future endeavors."
Jobe was first an English teacher and assistant football and track coach at North Callaway High School for nine years. He then moved to Hatton-McCredie Elementary School, where he spent four years as principal, before returning to the high school as principal.
"My students now have students - my students now have kids that are under my tutelage, too," Jobe said. "It's pretty amazing to see families grow and your kids grow up and get careers, and go into the world.
"There's a huge sense of pride in the accomplishments of being a part of people's lives, and hopefully a positive part of people's lives."
Jobe credited the collective effort that was required for North Callaway High School to evolve and progress during his tenure as principal.
"I take a lot of pride in the culture of our building, I take a lot of pride in our ability to pass that last bond and build a new building," Jobe said. "I take a lot of pride in our ag department, I take a lot of pride in all of our activities and our sports events.
"I take a lot of pride in the academics that we have in our building.
Jobe's contract at North Callaway expires in June, but he plans to remain on the job until the completion of summer school in early July.
"We've still got a lot to do, we've got a lot of things to prepare for," Jobe said. "It's been a very interesting year, there's been a lot of changes, and so we've got a lot of preparation to do for next (school) year.
"At the very least, with everything that this district has given to me, I can finish strong here."
Jobe looks forward to continuing to be an influence on young people's lives at Nichols Career Center.
"I believe that skilled labor built this country and I believe that it will continue to save this country," Jobe said. "I believe that kids that have a path perform well, and I know that kids in vocational education have a path.
"I believe that at Nichols Career Center I will have an opportunity to help another awesome team help kids move towards what they want out of life, and help them make those things come true that will bring them success, for whatever success means to them."
Jobe appreciates the role that North Callaway played in helping shape him as an individual.
"I tell everybody that I grew up here," Jobe said. "I became a father while I was in this district, I grew as a man while I was in this district, I've gotten gray (hair) since I've been in this district.
"One of the great things that comes with wisdom is that ability to realize - in a very humble way - how small we are in comparison," he said. "I'm just honored to have been a part of some of the awesome stuff that has happened here."