By By Adam Prestridge
Zickeyous Byrd has a lots of plans for Escambia County Middle School.
The new principal will share his plan of action with parents, faculty and community members during an "Evening of Fellowship" at 6 p.m. Thursday evening.
First National Bank of Atmore will sponsor the dinner prepared by Heavenly Delight.
In recent years concerns have been expressed regarding the academic standings of the schools in Atmore, particularly Escambia County Middle School, which was nearly taken over by the state last year. Byrd has made lots of changes this summer to help the school regain its standings in academics.
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 is posted following each quarter for their peers, parents and students to see. It is also posted to the school's website.
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.
Byrd will present an in-depth PowerPoint presentation Thursday night, which will explain his plan in greater detail.
It may seem like a lot of work for Byrd and his staff, but he's used to it. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary school education in two years from Concordia College in Selma when he was only 19-years-old. He continued his education at the University of South Alabama where he received his master's in school administration in only a year and a half. He also has his educational specialist degree from USA.
He began his educational career as a fifth grade teacher at Morningside Elementary School in Mobile where he taught for five years before becoming the title one facilitator at Mobile County Training Middle School in Prichard. After a year, he was named assistant principal where he stayed for two years before taking the job at ECMS.
Byrd explained that he took Mobile County Training, one of the worst schools academically and with the most suspensions and assaults in Mobile County, from the worst to one of the best in just one year. He did all this following a similar plan of action that he will implement at ECMS.