Students and teachers weren't the only ones in class in Richmond County schools Monday.
Dr. Frank Roberson started his first day on the job as Richmond County school superintendent by visiting six schools.
His second stop of the day was at Glenn Hills Middle School, where he toured the school, observed some classes and even found some connections to his local roots.
"His dad was my elementary principal," said Roberson, an Aiken County native, referring to Glenn Hills Middle Principal Glenn Andrews, who ushered Roberson through the school. The elementary school Roberson talked about was Jefferson Elementary in Bath.
After visiting a couple of classes, Roberson made his way to Laquosha Hamlett's math class, shaking her hand and being quickly informed that her in-laws attend the same church he does -- Old Storm Branch Baptist Church in Clearwater.
"She has the best in-laws in the world," Roberson said with a big smile.
As Roberson moved on to visit other classes, Hamlett said she was happy to see him there.
"I think it's good that he's getting out, meeting everybody," she said.
Glenn Hills Middle eighth-grade teacher Philanna Peterson, who also met Roberson on Monday, agreed.
"I think it's a great start for a superintendent -- to come out and visit the schools," she said.
Roberson was named to the post last week, succeeding Dr. Dana Bedden, who left for a superintendent's position in Irving, Texas.
Roberson was touted for being local -- having a home in North Augusta -- and for his hands-on approach. Roberson has said he will be moving to Richmond County.
Roberson most recently was superintendent for Marlboro County School District in Bennettsville, S.C.
On Monday at Glenn Hills Middle, he briefly worked hands-on with a student in a math class and asked teacher Alicia Mahoney how satisfied she was with how the curriculum prepares students for the state standards they are expected to meet.
Mahoney told Roberson that for the most part she was "comfortable" with the curriculum.
Roberson also toured Bayvale Elementary, Tubman Education Center, Terrace Manor Elementary, Wilkinson Gardens and Butler High, and in the next two weeks he said he plans to visit every county school.
He said he was happy with what he had seen Monday and added, "I'll be coming back on a very consistent basis."
Its a start. Now he needs to start having one-on-one private conversations with teachers, to get a real insight on what is happening in the county. The teachers will be honest as long as they know there will be no retribution for their comments.
justus4, I agree this meet & greet session was a positive step but if you would re-read the artile Dr. Roberson states that over the next two weeks he plans to visit every county school. So the question "Why didn't he come to my school?" is not a factor.
I am sure Dr. Roberson will do a good job. He will eventually get around to visiting all the schools. You cannot see them all in one day unless you just want to driveby without stopping.
The article stated that he asked "teacher Alicia Mahoney how satisfied she was with how the curriculum prepares students for the state standards they are expected to meet. Mahoney told Roberson that for the most part she was "comfortable" with the curriculum."
Being "comfortable" is not the best answer. A teacher should be excited about it and think it is an amazing curriculum. They are the ones influencing the student's feelings about the curriculum. Just being "comfortable" is not enough.
He needs to work on improving the quality of teachers working in Augusta schools.
Teachers should have good morals, be able to speak English properly, and wear modest clothing. I also have a problem with female teachers who teach it is okay for teen girls to have babies out of wedlock when they cannot feed themselves.
When you have better teachers working with parents (who also need improvement) then maybe our children will have a chance.
Dr. Roberson, I hope you are not just talk, appearance and no action.
At least he is out trying to make a connection with the teachers and showing them that he is willing to listen to the concerns and see for himself some of the issues as well. Good job, keep up the good work.
He needs to spend a lot of time at GHH and see how it is done..He needs to use some of Dr. Fraizers' ideas and style to bring about some positive changes to the current school system, which BTW, is broken....Changes can only come from the new super..my 2 cents
what he should have done was come in and inform all students at glenn hills/butler and any other school that failed to meet ayp that "failure, and acceptence of failure will not be tolerated" then inform them that any disruption of the class in any way, any type of disrepect and/or violence or gang-related activity will result in immediate expulsion!!! by informing the student body of a "ZERO TOLERANCE" policy he would have put everyone on notice so there will be no excuses. also set the expectation for academic achievement at a high level for all not just those attending davidson/johnson/walker magnet schools
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