A former platoon sergeant, now heading a school named for a World War II veteran and long-time Fulton County superintendent, said he seeks to increase the comfort level of those under him.
“When I think about my Marine Corps experience and how it applies to my school leadership experience, it’s about consistency and taking care of people,” Paul D. West Middle School Principal Darrell L. Stephens said.
The father of three boys is deploying the Always Faithful motto of the corps at the East Point school in one of his favorite aspects of school leadership.
“Your main goal is to create an environment where teachers feel comfortable being able to do the work that they do,” Stephens said. “One of my goals is to empower teachers, to allow them to make mistakes and fall forward in an effort to improve how they serve children in the classroom.”
Stephens started his education career in a math classroom in Charlotte, North Carolina, after earning a bachelor of science in the subject from Clemson University in 1996.
He earned a master’s degree school administration from the University of North Carolina in 2002 and a doctorate in educational leadership from Georgia Southern University in 2010.
Along the way, he entered administration, serving most recently as principal of Morgan County Middle School in the rural, 4,000-resident east Georgia town of Madison.
Former colleague Sarah E. Burbach said Stephens will do well at his new post, at which he said its Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports program will continue to celebrate good citizenship.
“Dr. Stephens’ certifications and endorsements in gifted education, response to intervention, PBIS and mathematics, combined with his love of technology and data, will serve him well as he works to program for all students of varying abilities and challenges,” said Burbach, a Morgan County Schools assistant superintendent.
A technological treat is around the corner; the Fulton County district’s digital device rollout will put laptops in students’ hands by the end of October.
“I just love having to stay current,” Stephens said about sharpening his own skills in pre-rollout tutorials.
Looking forward, the Conyers resident said his three-year plan includes starting an International Baccalaureate program.
He said he saw in Paul D. West the chance to raise the bar for academic achievement.
“This situation presented an opportunity to really help some teachers, but more importantly, some kids who were in need of some different direction,” Stephens said.
He said he will know if he is successful by the conversations he has with students.
“One thing about kids, they have the innate ability to be blatantly honest,” Stephens said, with a laugh.
Teachers and parents have been equally forthcoming.
“‘Listen to your teachers and your parents,’” Stephens said of their advice for his first year.
Stephens, also former assistant principal at Indian Creek Middle School in Newton County, said he chose the middle school level to spend more time with sons Nicolas, 16, and twins Darnell and Darren, 15, all Rockdale County students.
“Many of us that work inside the bubble of the profession know that the higher up you go, the more outside school activities you have to be a part of,” Stephens said.
His middle-school career has produced top-flight accolades.
Stephens’ awards include a triple play in 2015 of Georgia Distinguished Principal, Excellence in Achievement and the National Merit Award.
Other new south Fulton principals are Leah Mackey at Campbell Elementary School, Jami Pettway at Conley Hills Elementary School, Thomas Garrett at Hapeville Elementary School, Ethel Lett at S.L. Lewis Elementary School, Candace Bethea at Hapeville Charter Career Academy and Siobhan Gardner at KIPP South Fulton Academy.
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