THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 11, 1994 TAG: 9408090165
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COVER STORY
BACK TO SCHOOL
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Birthplace: Wilmington, N.C. Lived in Norfolk since 1951.
Birthdate: Sept. 14, 1950
Family: Wife, Rosalind, an English teacher at Maury High; son Neil, 12, attending Blair; son Jeffrey, 9, at Larchmont.
Pets: An English setter, Rosie
Education: Bachelor of science degree in elementary education and master's in reading education from Old Dominion University. Currently working on doctorate at Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Previous position: Principal at W.H. Taylor Elementary for three years. He now has been a principal of two schools he attended as a student. He started education career as a second-, third- and fourth-grade teacher at Larchmont; he was a reading specialist at Little Creek Elementary; an assistant principal at Larchmont and Bowling Park, and a principal at Sherwood Forest Elementary.
Goals: ``The No. 1 goal is to market the quality of education that's here. I think there's a perception that Blair's academic program is not as strong as feeder elementary schools and Maury. But, in fact, Blair has an outstanding academic program; I want to make everybody aware of that. The other goal is to development of lifelong learning by increasing research skills through the sixth, seventh and eighth grades.
Obstacles: ``So far, I haven't seen any obstacles. There's an outstanding staff and a large number of very supportive parents. To build the bridges between the school and the community, I'm sure there's some we'll run into - it's more of finding a way to communicate more efficiently with the community.''
Proudest accomplishment as an educator: ``I've transformed two elementary schools from a very 1950s approach to instruction to one that will enable our students to meet the demands of the 21st century. We moved from a textbook-driven curriculum at Sherwood to one that is more encompassing. It allows children more choices in their academic program but at same time demands the same high standards. They've made the transition from learners to problem solvers.''
Hobbies: Self-described golf fanatic, coaches youth athletics.
Book you'd recommend: ``My Side of the Mountain,'' by Jean Craighead George. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
N. George Boothby Jr.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE
by CNB