School Leadership

T.J. headshot

TJ Jumper

School Director

A Springfield, Illinois native, Dr. Thomas "T.J." Jumper brings more than 25 years of educational leadership experience to his work with students, educators, and the Des Moines, IA community and Great Oaks HS and Career Center. He holds a Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University, along with advanced degrees from Drake University and the University of Illinois Springfield.  He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana.

Throughout his career, Dr. Jumper has served as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant superintendent, regional director, and educational consultant.  He is passionate about building relationships and creating opportunities for others to succeed, Dr. Jumper believes in empowering individuals to reach their full potential through high expectations, collaboration, and purposeful leadership.  Dr. Jumper remains committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of others and helping individuals discover strengths they may not yet see in themselves.

Outside of his professional roles he enjoys coaching track & field and spending time with his family.  He is married to his wife Laura and they have three adult daughters.

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Beth Ward

Assistant School Director

Beth Ward-Reynolds brings more than 30 years of experience in education, with a career dedicated to supporting students, developing positive school cultures, and helping young people reach their full potential. She began her career as a Physical Education and Health teacher and coach, working with students in grades 9–12. Her passion for student success and leadership led her to become an Assistant Principal, serving students in grades 8–9 for three years.

Beth then served as a Principal for grades 6–8 for 13 years, where she gained extensive experience in instructional leadership, staff development, student support, school culture, and building strong relationships with students, families, and staff.

In 2025, Beth joined Great Oaks High School and Career Center as the Student Success Coordinator, where she focused on supporting students academically, behaviorally, and personally while helping them navigate pathways toward graduation and career success.

Beth is beginning her first year as the Assistant Director at Great Oaks High School and Career Center. She is passionate about creating opportunities for students and believes every student deserves the support, relationships, and encouragement needed to succeed.

Youth Build Director Tim Johnson

Tim Johnson

YouthBuild Director

Tim Johnson is the YouthBuild Director at Great Oaks High School and Career Center. Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he brings an energetic presence and a deep passion for helping young people discover their purpose and achieve personal growth.

Tim’s professional background is rooted in mental health. His diverse experience includes roles in Crisis Intervention, Communities In Schools, Behavioral Health, and Juvenile Justice. Through this work, he has developed a strong understanding of trauma and the importance of addressing the root causes of behavior.

He earned his undergraduate degrees in Social Work and Criminology from the University of Northern Iowa and his master’s degree from the University of Iowa. These experiences have shaped his belief that all young people can find success when supported with authenticity, consistency, and care. He is especially passionate about working with emerging adults and believes that when the whole child is supported with kindness, love, and structure, they are empowered to thrive.

As YouthBuild Director, Tim supports both the high school community and students enrolled in the YouthBuild program. YouthBuild provides opportunity youth with an evidence-based pathway to earn their high school diploma, develop career skills, and obtain industry-recognized credentials. The program also emphasizes leadership, community service, and personal responsibility, empowering students to build resilience, give back to their communities, and achieve independence.