LUMBERTON — “I am a champion of public education!”
Those were the words shouted in unison by educators, administrators, local leaders and attendees while the energetic echoes of the Lumberton High School Cannon Boom Drumline served as a fitting finale to a day dedicated to collaboration, belief, and the future of North Carolina’s students.
Performances by Arista Lowery, the Purnell Swett High School Chorus, and the presentation of the colors by the Lumberton High School JROTC helped shape the program and focus the evening on student excellence which is displayed within our public schools each day.
The drumline performance culminated an evening of inspiration, leadership and purpose as State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green presented the state’s strategic plan outlined in its eight pillars.
Those pillars include: Prepare Each Student for Their Next Phase in Life, Revere Public School Educators, Enhance Parent, Caregiver and Community Support, Ensure Healthy, Safe and Secure Learning Environments, Optimize Operational Excellence, Lead Transformative Change, Celebrate the Excellence in Public Education and Galvanize Champions to Fully Invest in and Support Public Education.
The strategic plan presented is a roadmap to guide NC public schools to be the best in the nation by 2030.
“It is possible,” Superintendent Green told educators, college students, PSRC leaders and UNC-Pembroke officials including Chancellor Robin Cummings during his visit to UNC-Pembroke’s School of Education earlier in the afternoon.
“If you’ll allow yourself to believe in that kind of vision, then reality will take over the vision. I know that’s what will happen here and certainly across the state of North Carolina,” he said.
Conversations at UNC-Pembroke highlighted strong partnerships between the district and college that power the local teacher pipeline and enhance students’ educational opportunities and experiences.
District leaders also discussed the district’s turnaround work that includes a coaching model to enhance lessons in the classroom.
“It’s a framework that allows everyone to have a coach,” said PSRC Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Debra Dowless.
“We are moving from theory to practice — and it’s happening in real time. Another part of our turnaround work is that we have to align through partners and we certainly have that strong alignment with UNC Pembroke,” PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson said.
Dr. Williamson also spoke of the alignment that the NC Department of Public Instruction has with the State Board of Education and school systems across the state. He shared that Superintendent Green is driven by his heart for the work.
“You look into a classroom and you think to yourself doesn’t every child in this classroom deserve the absolute best?” Superintendent Green said.
As Superintendent Green and his team stood on the construction site of the Robeson County Career and Technical Education Center and Robeson Planetarium and Science Center (Robeson CTEC), many words of excitement were charred as each took in the progress of the sitework.
The center will house CTE courses that are located at the Robeson County Career Center, feature a new planetarium, and also be home to a new Drone Technology Program and state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Program. The new facility will serve about 1,000 PSRC high school students per day, with a group of 500 in the morning and another in the afternoon rotating between their base school and Robeson CTEC.
PSRC CTE Director Herman Locklear spoke of the economic impact of the center, which will allow businesses to train students for the job through reverse internships that take away barriers of transportation for students. Training will take place within 4 business industry labs housed in the building.
“This is not just a gamechanger for today, it’s a gamechanger for tomorrow,” Locklear said.
Superintendent Green paused to take in the sight of the planetarium’s construction, looking up into the dome shaped feature with appreciation, awe and anticipation for the future of students across the county and state who will enjoy it.
“I am blown away,” he said. “This is wonderful.”
Robeson Community College President Melissa Singler welcomed the team, PSRC leaders and superintendents to campus as RCC and PSRC shared about collaboration through the PSRC Early College. RCC Culinary students also prepared “a taste of Robeson” through delicious treats like collard wraps and a charcuterie board.
Ahead of the evening address, PSRC leaders, principals, Board of Education members, and Central Office staff attended a reception and presented Green with a gift basket of appreciation prior to the dinner portion of the reception. Superintendent Green thanked principals for their work and encouraged them to continue with a passion for student success.
“First and foremost, on behalf of the Board, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who played a part in making Monday such a tremendous success,” said PSRC Board of Education Chairman Tre’ Britt.
“The dedication, leadership, and teamwork on display were truly inspiring and a testament to the passion our PSRC family brings to everything we do. I’ve always believed that you’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with — and Monday, that greatness was unmistakable. Every event I attended was filled with incredible individuals who are true Champions for Public Education,” Britt said.
Click here to view photos and video footage from the visit.