DATE: Thursday, August 28, 1997             TAG: 9708260195

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 16   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FELICIA PAGE, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   70 lines

NEW HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR FORMER PRINCIPAL HOPES TO OFFER MORE SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS.

Stephen G. Peters is a self-proclaimed goal setter. The former principal at Lafayette-Winona Middle School has a new job this year, as director of human resources for the city's school system. And he's eager to get going.

``I want to impact a large volume of students and change the culture of the school system,'' said Peters.

He said he hopes to set up an efficient department that facilitates a service-oriented atmosphere and appreciates the ``human'' aspect of human resources.

The district's new academic improvement plan, the Norfolk Quality Schools Initiative, calls for central administration to be more responsive to the schools' needs.

That's where Peters plays a major role. Human Resources will be more accessible and provide support to principals and will step up recruitment and offer early contracts to pull the best teachers into the district.

``We have to do things differently,'' Peters said. ``It's going to be the creation of synergy, central office becoming a support to the school house.''

Peters, a native of Walterboro, S.C., came to the area after he was recruited for a Hampton University basketball scholarship.

The Chicago fan, evident by a gold-framed Bulls poster on his office wall, yearned to be a pro, but graduated in 1980 without being drafted. He could either play in Europe or teach. Peters, who majored in health and physical education, chose the latter.

Peters, who received his master's degree in educational administration from Old Dominion University in 1991, taught in Hampton City Schools for eight years and became a department chairman for health and physical education. He also taught at St. Mary's Academy and was assistant principal at Northside Middle School.

Outside of work, Peters, a golf and reading enthusiast, is a fellow for the Institute for Development of Educational Activities. He's a member of the board of directors for the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Life Center and a member of the board of trustees for Leadership Hampton Roads, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.

Although he's pleased with his new job, Peters said he misses interacting with youngsters.

``I miss the hugs from the kids'' at Lafayette-Winona, he said.

When he went back recently to visit the school, he got one. He ran into a student named Matthew, who had always greeted Peters with a hug, and this time was no exception.

Gary Ruegsegger, a Lafayette-Winona colleague, also misses Peters.

``I hated to see him go,'' he said. ``It is a tremendous loss for the kids.''

According to Ruegsegger, Peters had a genuine commitment to the students, teachers and parents. He was constantly in the building, even after school, following up on the children.

While at Lafayette-Winona, Peters created the Gentleman's Club, one of his career highlights. It teaches youngsters respect and responsibility, to help them mature into contributing young men.

``Stephen is a wonderful person to work with,'' said Patricia Dillard, senior coordinator-secondary schools, who worked with him to staff Lafayette-Winona. ``He cares about people and worked in the best interest of the school.''

Peters doesn't claim all the success. He's grateful for the help of Roy D. Nichols Jr., Norfolk superintendent; Frank Sellew, deputy superintendent for operations; and Thomas Lockamy Jr., deputy superintendent for academic affairs and accountability.

Added Peters, ``I've just been blessed.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by IAN MARTIN

Stephen G. Peters plans to step up recruitment and offer early

contracts to pull the best teachers into the district.

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