Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, July 19, 1994                   TAG: 9407190015
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Melissa DeVaughn
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

KEITH ROWLAND

Age: 39

Family: Wife, Cheryl, and daughter, Amanda

Most memorable teacher: "My first-grade teacher, Mrs. Vest, because she had a personality that motivated me."

Most difficult job: "Probably being assistant principal because you have to deal with the negatives about schools, like disciplining students. And you're not very well-liked either!"

Look for Keith Rowland on an average day at the school and you may find him doing what he loves best: hanging out with the kids, sitting in on a class or reading to the children.

"I love to watch the kids and the progress they make," he said. "It really stands out on the elementary level."

Rowland is a principal of the homegrown-variety. He grew up in Giles County, went off to college at Tennessee Tech, but came back to the New River Valley. His first job was at his alma mater, Narrows High School. He was barely older than the students he taught.

"Some of them I had gone to school with," he said.

Rowland then took a job as the assistant principal and athletic director at Floyd County High School. Later he became assistant principal at Christiansburg High School, then finally came to rest at Riner Elementary School where he has been principal for the past three years.

Last month the Montgomery County School Board named Rowland the "Administrator of the Year," an honor given to recognize his efforts to make the school an extra-special place.

"Keith has a way of showing appreciation to people for the job they do, whether they are volunteers, teachers or parents," said Doris McElfresh, the county's director of elementary education.

Part of McElfresh's job is to evaluate elementary school principals. She said she often gets comments from people who work with Rowland and those comments are always good ones.

"He sends the nicest letters to thank people and it makes him a pleasure to work with," she said.

Rowland said he always knew he wanted to work with children, but he wasn't sure it would be in an administrative role.

"But I think everyday I come to work I understand it was the right move," he said of his transition from teacher to principal.

Rowland said his primary goal for Riner Elementary is to promote technology at the school. The Parent-Teacher Association supported that goal and has adopted a five-year plan to improve computer technology schoolwide.

Rowland also is concerned with the growth of the Riner community and how to best deal with overcrowding in the school.

"We had 262 students when I came here, and next year we're going to have somewhere in the neighborhood of 320," Rowland said. "The growth rate has been phenomenal, and this is one of our top priorities - to work with the School Board to get it fixed."

Rowland credits much of the school's success to active parent involvement, both in the volunteer program as well as the PTA.

"People in this community still believe in the importance of a good education," he said.

Keywords:
PROFILE