Andy Glosser’s journey to becoming Assistant Principal at the High School and Junior High, as well as the Athletic Director for the Junior High may seem like a whirlwind of decisions, responsibilities, and moves, but at its core, it's the story of someone who’s come home. Though he’s new to the official role, Andy has been a part of the community for the past seven years, making this latest career move a homecoming that’s been eagerly anticipated by both him and the District.

Born and raised in Decatur, in the shadow of agricultural processing giants ADM and Staley, the smells of cornstarch processing may have permeated his youth, but it was an interest in education, inspired by his mother, that took hold. Andy’s mother was a special education teacher, dedicating 35 years to the Decatur Public Schools and instilling in Andy the value of shaping young minds. Growing up, he spent days off from his Catholic school education visiting her classroom, unknowingly sowing the seeds for his own career in education. He recalls her passion for teaching, even though the job often came with its share of frustration. “As much as it drove her crazy sometimes, she had this passion,” he reflects. “And that stuck with me.”

After graduating from St. Teresa High School, Andy earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and later circled back to his teaching aspirations, completing a master’s in education from Greenville University. His teaching career began in Effingham, where he spent three years before taking on a new challenge in Flora, balancing teaching and basketball coaching.

Andy’s drive for leadership didn't stop there. With a second master’s in administration under his belt, he spent four years as Assistant Principal at Robinson Junior High. But there was always something pulling him back to Newton, where his family had settled. His children attended school here, his wife Chelsea was working at the elementary school as a behavior interventionist, and the community had become home. Yet, despite the tug to work closer to home, the timing wasn’t right—until now.

For each of the past two years, Superintendent Joe Sornberger called Andy, asking him to consider joining the administrative team at Jasper Schools. He passed both times, citing family commitments and timing that didn’t quite work. But this year, Joe didn’t just call. He showed up at Andy’s house and made the offer one more time. “He talked to my wife every time he saw her,” Andy laughs, remembering Joe’s persistence. “He put a bug in her ear every time.” This time, the stars aligned. "I was ready to try it out, and the kids were over the moon about me being in the same district."

In his role as Assistant Principal and Junior High Athletic Director, Andy is spinning plenty of plates, but he’s thriving. Balancing the duties of scheduling, coordinating with schools, managing rules, and ensuring games and meets run smoothly, Andy has found his stride. It’s not always glamorous—organizing umpires, keeping track of match results, and making sure everything runs smoothly is a full-time gig. But Andy believes in the bigger picture: athletics and education working together to build character, friendships, and life lessons.

“I think for some students, sports is the reason they come to school,” Andy says. “And once they’re here, they find friends, they find purpose. Sometimes sports are what gets them in the door, but hopefully, they stay for more.” Whether it’s a student finding camaraderie in a dugout or learning life skills on the field, Andy knows the value of athletics goes beyond trophies. "It’s about teamwork, resilience, and creating bridges with people you might never have met otherwise."

As Andy settles into his role, he’s no stranger to the challenges of a smaller community where everyone knows everyone, and many wear multiple hats. He’s excited about building on Jasper’s already strong athletic traditions while also creating a school environment where students feel supported and ready to succeed beyond graduation. “My ultimate goal is to never see them again at school,” he jokes. “We want them to graduate, go off, and be successful—whether that’s staying in Jasper County or moving on. It’s all about their success.”

One of Andy’s biggest motivators? His family. With three children—ages nine, seven, and two—his world revolves around not just being a great administrator but also a present father. His two boys and youngest daughter keep him on his toes, and they’re thrilled that Dad works in the same district now. "Every time we drive by, they say, ‘Dad, that’s your school!’ They’re so excited about it.”

Andy’s not sure what the future holds in terms of further educational roles, but for now, he’s right where he wants to be. “We’re cemented here,” he says, confidently. “We’re part of this community, and I’m looking forward to watching my kids grow and graduate from Jasper County Schools."