by Rodney Kay '94
As I look back over my 20+ years in public education I certainly have a lot to be proud of, but one cornerstone has always stood strong--the advice from Dr. Cecelia Lee I received one evening while leaving a Spanish Literature class still rings in my ears: “No matter where you go, no matter what you do, nobody can ever take your education from you, but you have to decide if you are willing to work for it.” When those words went from my ears to my heart I went on to receive a bachelor's degree in Spanish and began teaching Spanish at Central High School. After spending 14 years in the classroom I went on to receive my master's in educational leadership and a specialist degree in curriculum and instruction.
For 20+ years I have echoed those words to baseball players I’ve coached, teachers I have mentored, fellow administrators, and the current students I work for each and every day as principal at Heard County High School. Dr. Lee was not a teacher with whom I had a very close relationship, but with 10 seconds of her time she made a life-changing impression on a 20-year-old “jock” who had aspirations of playing baseball forever. From that evening on I began working diligently on my studies and dedicated myself to passing along that message. She inspired me to go out and make a difference.
Over the years I have been a successful baseball coach at Central High School, and I have since moved on to serve in many roles in public education. In 2010 I was named the GASSP Assistant Principal of the Year and was named the GAEL Professional of the Year that same year. I moved from assistant principal to serve as assistant superintendent of 9-12 curriculum/instruction for two years before returning to serve as principal at Heard County High School in 2013. Things seemed to have come full circle when I was given the Administrative Support award by FLAG (Foreign Language Association of Georgia) this winter.
It is not my intent to try and bring any spotlight to myself; rather I wish to try and inspire some who may be on the proverbial fence at the University of West Georgia. You can make a difference, and there is a place in this world where you are needed. I will leave you with those words that changed my life forever: No matter where you go, no matter what you do, nobody can ever take your education from you, but you have to decide if you are willing to work for it.
Thank you to Dr. Lee, and thank you to the University of West Georgia, a place I will always call home. Go Wolves!
