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Professional Biography
Dr. Scott Childress was inducted into the Educator Hall of Honors for Eastern New Mexico University in 2012. He was noted for having a passion to encourage students, teachers, administrators and school board members in their pursuit of building a better world through education.
Scott received his B.S. Degree from the University of New Mexico and a M.S and Ed.S. Degrees from Eastern New Mexico University, and an Ed.D. from Northern Arizona University. The B.S and M.S. degrees were in Physical Education; the Ed.S. and Ed.D. were in School Administration.
He played college baseball for the University of Missouri and was a two-year letterman for the University of New Mexico. After graduating from UNM, he signed a professional baseball contract with the Cleveland Indians. He played and coached for the organization for two years. His oral history as player and coach is archived at Texas Tech University; the site of the NCAA College Baseball Hall Fame.
Scott began his career in the Albuquerque Public Schools teaching elementary Physical Education then as a high school biology teacher and head baseball coach at West Mesa High School. He was named Albuquerque Baseball Coach of the Year in 1969. After two years at the high school level he was offered a managerial position with the Cleveland Indian organization but decided to stay in education and became the head baseball coach at Eastern New Mexico University. Three of his former players became highly successful coaches in New Mexico (Carlsbad, Farmington and Albuquerque Cibola) as they won 12 State AAAA baseball championships and produced 8 major league ballplayers, 48 players signed professional contracts and over 450 of their kids received baseball scholarships. Seven of his former ballplayers were head baseball coaches in New Mexico.
From teaching and coaching, in 1971 Scott went into public school administration in the Gallup-McKinley County Public School District. In the course of seven years, he was Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, Principal, and Assistant Superintendent for Supportive Operations & Labor Relations (he negotiated labor contracts opposing the American Federation of Teachers) and was named Superintendent in 1978. The School District was the second largest school district in New Mexico. That District also held the distinction of having the largest Indian student enrollment in the Nation (Navajo and Zuni) as well as being the largest square mile (5,500) district in the Nation. A major accomplishment during Childress’ tenure as Superintendent was establishing a one year 20% pay increase for teachers and support personnel, which became a part of the salary schedule in subsequent years. He coordinated the Zuni Pueblo’s efforts to break away from Gallup-McKinley to form their own district. Three new High Schools were constructed and funding for a fourth was secured. He testified before numerous State of New Mexico Legislative committees concerning budget and capital outlay matters. He also was called to testify before the Congressional House of Representatives Sub-Committee on Indian Affairs concerning Indian Education funding. In 1980, Scott was a Superintendent finalist for Albuquerque Public Schools (enrollment 85,000), eleven years after leaving APS as a teacher. He left the Gallup position in 1981 because of heart problems which plagued him throughout his career.
In the middle 80s’ he was the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for the Bloomfield Municipal Schools. His work there with computer technology lead him to be considered a pioneer in Computer Assisted Instruction. A Prescription Learning Lab (later know as Jostens) was placed in a grades 3-4 elementary school. Also a card reader program for grades 1-8 was implemented to assure continuity and accountability in the delivery of the written curriculum.
In the late 80’s he was named Superintendent of Schools for Capitan Municipal Schools where he had a four-year tenure. Under Dr. Childress’ leadership at Capitan, CTBS scores rose from the 50th percentile to the 90th percentile and ACT composite scores rose from 18 to 25. In 1991 he became Superintendent of the Animas Public Schools where a bond issued was passed with 98% approval and an old WPA adobe high school project was converted into an elementary library.
He retired from New Mexico public education in 1992 and moved to the family farm near Cross Plains, Texas. After two years of farming, Scott became Principal of Cross Plains high school where graduating classes averaged 25 students. Students in the 1994-1997 era achieved and are achieving notable accomplishments: US Naval Academy graduate and pilot, active Air Force fighter pilot, several Ph.D.’s, COO of the LA Sparks in the WNBA, 800 (perfect score) on SAT Math. Graduates have become government and business executives, numerous successful educators and coaches. Many entered into the certified skilled professional field as welders, beauticians, nursing professionals as well as farming and business entrepreneurs.
