By By Adam Prestridge
Education is important to everyone with children. Over the past couple of years concerns have been expressed regarding the academic standings of the schools here in Atmore, especially Escambia County Middle School, which was nearly taken over by the state last year.
A lot of changes have occurred this summer to help school regain its standings in academics.
One of the biggest changes at ECMS is the addition of new principal Zickeyous Byrd, who came to the Escambia County School System from Mobile. Byrd was the guest speaker at the Atmore Rotary Club's Tuesday luncheon at Atmore Community Hospital.
Byrd explained his plan of action with Rotary members, which proved to be impressive. He left every member confident that the future of Escambia County Middle School will be bright.
He explained how he took one of the worst schools academically and with the most suspensions in Mobile County from the worst to one of the top in just one year. He did all this following a similar plan of action that he will implement at ECMS.
Byrd's plan of action holds not only the students accountable for their grades, but the teachers as well. Teachers have to follow a strict guideline of curriculum that following each quarter is posted for their peers, parents and students to see. It is also posted to the school's website. So if they don't do their job accordingly, it is known to everyone.
Not only does the plan of action hold all accountable, but it also puts students in teams, so they don't get lost in the distraction of changing classes. All students of the same age and teachers stay together so there is more one-on-one attention.
The plan is a lot more detailed, but too much to explain, but is sure to work.
Byrd is a blessing to ECMS.
Adam Prestridge is publisher of the Atmore Advance. His column appears weekly.