PAUL BRYANT: A Servant Leader for the 21st Century and Beyond

VBD Magazine is always excited to feature those societal leaders at the top of their profession—individuals who serve as influential leaders, role models, mentors, and guides to others. These individuals are walking with purpose on their appointed pathways in life. They send out a clarion call to others, signaling, “Come on! Let’s go! This way!”

Paul Bryant is one such individual and educational leader. He has navigated a traditional path— moving through the ranks as a classroom teacher, dean, and assistant principal—in arriving at his current role of K-12 school principal. However, as the principal of Positive Pathways Transition Center (PPTC), Orlando, Florida, Bryant’s daily walk as a school administrator occurs within a nontraditional and alternative school setting.

At PPTC, he walks with purpose, serving as a positive role model and mentor for students who may need extra support in their academic and behavioral development.

Professional Background

Bryant graduated from Marianna High School in 1989, where he played baseball and basketball at the varsity level. After graduation, he attended Chipola College in Florida on a baseball scholarship. He then played baseball at and graduated from Troy University in 1995. He wasted no time asserting himself as a quality educator, being recognized as a rookie teacher in ‘95 and earning a nomination for Teacher of the Year in ‘97. Later, he attended the University of Central Florida in Orlando, earning a master’s degree in education in 2005.

Having amassed three decades of service in Florida K-12 education, he has served as a classroom teacher for approximately 12 years and as an administrator for 17. He has worked at all levels -- elementary, middle, and high school. During his professional career, Bryant has held numerous leadership roles that have contributed to and refined his educational and administrative philosophies.

In today’s data-driven society, K-12 schools must have evidence that supports and shows that students are reading on or above grade levels. Given how schools are graded in Florida, it is crucial that students exit the educational environment and demonstrate growth in each testing area. When asked about his views on using data to make informed decisions, Bryant adds, “When I was a classroom teacher, I was continually involved in program coordination to increase student engagement and enhance test scores. As a current principal, I focus on enacting a school wide curriculum program that helps our students excel academically and in their future careers, both inside and outside the classroom.”

He continues, “Over the past decades, we have moved into the age of school accountability. Having data is essential. Test scores have become integral to our daily existence as we must show that we are preparing our students well.”

An Effective School Leader

Bryant states that he learned much about leadership and the importance of operating within a team environment from his days as a student-athlete and, subsequently, as a school coach. He says, “Those interaction skills have never gone away. The concept of a team philosophy is essential for an effective leader.”

When asked his views on effective leadership, Bryant says, “You cannot have an effective school without effective leadership. Those two go together like a hand in a glove. The school leader is the first line of offense and defense. An effective school leader must be present, visible, and accessible in the school environment.