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Webster County's new
supuerintendent/principal
is excited about future
supuerintendent/principal
is excited about future
By RICHARD HARRIS
(From the July 19, 2006 issue)
Dr. James “Kip” Stevens recently took the reigns of leadership as the top administrator of the Webster County School System and he’s very excited about the future.
He’s excited for a number of reasons. First, when exploring the possibility of taking the job, he was very impressed with the attitude and aspirations of the Webster County Board of Education.
“I saw a committed board of education,” said Dr. Stevens. “They are committed to
He’s also excited about experiencing the unique combined role of superintendent/principal.
“This is a very unique opportunity,” Stevens said. “I can explore and take risks as a principal without having to expend a lot of energy and time convincing the superintendent of what I want to do.” (Because he also is the superintendent).
While his dual administration role is obviously his chief responsibility, Stevens has also quickly set the example that school employees should be willing to perform whatever role it takes to make the school the best that it can be. He’s done so by also signing up as substitute bus driver and has already traveled many of the county’s rural roads to familiarize himself
“I plan to do whatever it takes to get the job done,” he said, quickly adding, “Everyone in this school system is going to do what it takes.”
Stevens also knows he’s coming to Webster County in an exciting time of transition, as plans have been made to bring the county’s high school home for the first time in more than 30 years. Webster County students will again attend high school in Marion County this school year, but in 2007-08 the ninth and tenth graders will stay in Webster County (with grade levels being added in following years until they have their first graduating class). Stevens knows that it will be a challenge for a county as small as Webster to restore its own high school, but he believes it is in the best interests of the local youth and he looks forward to the challenge.
“I’m tickled to death about it,” he said. “It will require out-of-the-box thinking. It’s the kind of excitement I like.”
Stevens said he doesn’t have plans for drastic changes, as he likes the path the board has the system on now. However, he also adds that change is often desirable and it’s always important to adapt to meet the needs of the child.
“I didn’t come here to turn anyone’s world inside out,” he said. “But we will focus on the children and make changes when we need to. I know that teachers are concerned about change, but change is good.”
Stevens’ well-rounded background seems suited for the combined principal/superintendent role, as he has served as a teacher, coach, elementary school principal, middle school principal, and assistant superintendent.
Most of his career has been spent in the Turner County School System. He will be a familiar face to area high school baseball fans, as he was Turner County’s head baseball coach for a dozen years – winning two region titles and making the playoffs 11 times, while being named Region Coach of the Year on three occasions.
He served as assistant superintendent in Turner County from 1996 to 2000, and again in 2005. He was principal of Turner County Middle School from 2000-2005, principal of Eureka Elementary School from 1988 to 1994, assistant principal of Turner County Middle School from 1994-1996, assistant principal of Turner County Junior High/Elementary School from 1984 to 1988, teacher at Turner County Junior High/Elementary from 1982 to 1986, and teacher at Seminole County High from 1980 to 1982.
Stevens said one of the main reasons he decided to join the education field was that “like a lot of young men I wanted to coach.” He certainly enjoyed that aspect of it for many years (in addition to his baseball teams, he has been an assistant high school football coach and head junior varsity football coach). In the classroom, he quickly came to also really enjoy “seeing the smile on a kid’s face when the light bulb went off and he got it.”
While his new job is certainly a milestone in his life, Stevens has had excitement in more than just his professional life lately. He and his wife, Amber (a special education teacher at Turner County High School), have a 4-week-old baby, who was born prematurely, but is doing well and expected to be ready to leave the hospital in Atlanta in the near future.
In addition to the new bundle of joy, he has three other children: Jamie, 24, an agriculture teacher at Lee County Middle School (who recently received an award as the most outstanding ag teacher in the state with less than five years experience); Wesley, 20, a student at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College; and Stell, a junior at Turner County High School.
Dr. Stevens said that rather than enjoying any hobbies, he enjoys his family.
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