The University of Alabama need our support as much as the students. I was proud of my work at these schools but left to obtain a Master’s degree from the University of Washington. My experience with students with emotional and behavioral disabilities (EBD) helped steer me in the direction of getting additional credentials in special education, with an emphasis in EBD. I have worked the past several years to create a strong program for the students with EBD at a middle school in Seattle. Anyone familiar with “the achievement gap” in education would also be acquainted with the students I teach. My students are young boys and girls of color, are poor and have experienced little success in previous school placements. They do not fully understand what the words socioeconomics, stereotyping or special education mean, but they seem to know in their own ways that it usually equates to lowered expectations and grim predictions for their futures. I expect to change that. I’ve learned a great deal about educational theory, best practice, state standards, accommodations and countless other important concepts from the schools that have invited me in and the people I’ve met along the way. Christy Connell taught me long ago that I wanted to be the teacher badly enough to fight her over the title. Mrs. Brickhouse, although she didn’t know it at the time, has made me a fine Algebra teacher to my middle school students. And The University of Alabama’s teaching program gave me the skills to create a highly reputable educational program for students with the cards stacked against them. I am a skilled, reflective educator because of the College of Education’s investment in me as a professional life-long learner. Educator Other Than Teacher Dr. Barry Carroll, Superintendent, Limestone County Schools, Athens Dr. Barry Carroll has served as Superintendent of Education for the Limestone County Schools in Athens since November 2001. In his 25 years of experience, Dr. Carroll has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, director of secondary education, assistant superintendent and superintendent. After graduating with a master’s degree in health, physical education and recreation from the Capstone in 1980, Dr. Carroll 32
begin his education career in 1981 in the Tuscaloosa City School System (Central High School) as a teacher, assistant football coach and tennis coach. Dr. Carroll took a hiatus from teaching to earn his master’s degree in administration and planning from the Capstone in 1986. While he was here at the Capstone, he served as a graduate assistant football coach at The University of Alabama under Coach Ray Perkins. He then returned to Central High School in 1987 where he would serve as an assistant principal and coordinator of athletics at until 1992. In 1992, Dr. Carroll began his career in educational administration as principal of Eastwood Middle School in Tuscaloosa. He also completed his Doctor of Education degree in administration and planning from The University of Alabama in 1993. Dr. Carroll continued his career in administration at Ed White Middle School in Huntsville and then served as the Director of Secondary Education and Staff Development for the Huntsville City Schools in 1997. He is a 2001 graduate of the Huntsville/Madison County Adult Leadership Class and a 2001-2002 member of the Alabama Superintendent Preparation Program’s Inaugural Class. As superintendent of Limestone County Schools, Dr. Carroll has had many accomplishments. He has provided fiscal leadership in managing a system that has grown by 600 students in four years. He passed an $8 million bond issue for school construction and renovations through an aggressive capital plan which included construction of Cedar Hill Elementary School, a new library at Tanner High School, a new cafeteria at East Limestone High School and a new library and six c1assrooms at West Limestone High School. He also provided leadership in the Loans to Schools Program that has provided funds for football, baseball and softball fields; dressing facilities; weight rooms; and other projects funded by the Loans to School Program. Dr. Carroll is committed to students. He initiated the Get It Write program to address
fifth and seventh grade writing assessment results. He added dual enrollment to the curriculum and advanced/AP courses to the course of study for Limestone County Schools. He implemented the weighted grading system for more rigorous courses. He provided leadership and resources to ensure that SACS accredited all of Limestone County Schools. He is an advocate for all those who work in his school system. Dr. Carroll led Limestone County to become the first school system in Alabama to have ALL principals on contract and he added full-time school resource officers to all six high schools. Dr. Carroll created the Limestone County Schools Aspiring Administrator Academy to train prospective administrators. This program has trained over 15 educators who currently serve in an administrative capacity. He also revised and revitalized the Teacher Institute Program for Limestone County Schools. He has provided additional teacher units; art teachers; administrators; custodians; directors; ELL staff and other teaching and staff positions for schools. Dr. Carroll is an advocate for hiring minority and female administrators. In 2001, Limestone County had two female administrators and no minority administrators. In 2006, Limestone County has three female principals; five female assistant principals, and three minority administrators. Most importantly, he works closely with principals, directors and board members to address needs and improve the Limestone County Schools Dr. Carroll has received several awards during his career including the College of Education Most Outstanding Student in the Area of Administration and Educational Leadership; the Alabama PTA Most Outstanding Secondary Principal Award; and the Huntsville City Schools Most Outstanding Principal Award . Dr. Carroll has received the Honorary Life Membership Award, the highest award presented by the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (PTA). He has also been awarded the Alabama PTA Certificate of Honorary Life Membership. In 2001, he was inducted into the Alabama A&M Athletic Hall of Fame to honor his football career. In 2002, he received the Distinguished Community Service Award from the Huntsville-Madison and Limestone Counties Community Action Agency.