THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 11, 1994 TAG: 9408110137
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COVER STORY
BACK TO SCHOOL
SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: COURTLAND LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
Bob Nicholson, who took over as headmaster of Southampton Academy last month, views the small, private school from a global perspective.
Nicholson, 44, spent the past 11 1/2 years overseas, working in American schools in Kuwait and Venezuela and traveling to nearly 30 countries.
``Our country has gone through so many changes,'' Nicholson said. ``But we are still the strongest. We are still the folks to emulate in a majority of areas. This is the country everyone wants to live in.''
A native of Deerfield Beach, Fla., Nicholson has three degrees from the University of Florida - a bachelor's degree in psychology, a master's in elementary education and an educational specialist's degree.
Nicholson was headmaster of a small, private school in Palatka, Fla. for four years before going abroad.
In Kuwait, he was senior headmaster - or high school principal - of a school in Sasat for eight years. Then he was assistant superintendent of an American international school in Maracaibo, Venezuela, for 3 1/2 years.
``It's nice to be home,'' Nicholson said. ``We don't have to worry so much about inflation. In Venezuela, it was 40 percent the last month we were there.''
While he was in Kuwait in 1983, the American Embassy was blown up. And while he was in Venezuela, there were three coup attempts.
``So Courtland is pretty safe,'' he said.
In Venezuela, Nicholson met his future wife, Dorothy, a Richmond native who was teaching kindergarten. They married in March in Charlottesville, after arranging the wedding from afar.
``Our long distance phone bill was $1,000,'' he said.
In his first month in his new job at Southampton Academy, Nicholson has been pleased with the concern and interest shown by parents.
``There is tremendous family support,'' he said.
The school has 225 students from age 3 through the 12th grade. School will open Aug. 29.
And students will see some changes.
Two computer labs - one equipped with IBM-compatible computers, the other with Apple computers - will be open all day for students to use. The library will offer CD-ROM research capabilities through Internet and Virginia Penn.
Weekly science laboratory classes will be incorporated into the elementary and middle school programs. A science teacher has been added at the high school level, and students there will be required to take more lab classes.
``We're really pushing science and technology this year,'' Nicholson said.
Juniors and seniors also will have the opportunity to take courses at Paul D. Camp Community College in Franklin. The dual enrollment program will allow them to earn both high school and college credits for the same course.
Nicholson's job in Venezuela was to get students into American colleges and universities. In Courtland, he will work with assistant Mary T. Flowers on career counseling and college admissions.
``When I work with kids, I get them to look at themselves,'' he said. ``They need to look at what are their strengths and what are their weaknesses. A young person with a foundation in values and good academic skills will be able to move ahead in any environment.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Bob Nicholson, the new headmaster at Southampton Academy in
Courtland, spent the past 11 1/2 years overseas, working in American
schools in Kuwait and Venezuela and traveling to nearly 30
countries.
by CNB