In the News
Former Alabama police officer wears several hats at Tanglewood Middle School
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Jada Kidd-Robertson works with students in a class at Tanglewood Middle School. Staff/George Gardner |
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PROFILE |
| Name: Jada Kidd-Robertson |
| Hometown: Mobile, Ala.; moved to Greenville 10 years ago |
| Family: Husband, Rodney |
| Church: Valley Brook Outreach Baptist, where she's an assistant minister |
| School: Tanglewood Middle, sixth-grade Challenge and social studies teacher |
| Teaching experience: 10 years, fourth at Tanglewood |
| Education: Bachelor's and master's degrees from Auburn University; currently attending Clemson University's SREB Leadership program at night |
| Spare-time activities: Numerous after-school activities |
Achievement |
By Scott Keeler - CITY PEOPLE WRITER
(Source: G’ville News)
Jada Kidd-Robertson works with students in a class at Tanglewood Middle School. Staff/George Gardner
Greenville County students and teachers may be enjoying their two-week winter break, but perhaps no teacher is enjoying it more than Tanglewood Middle School's Jada Kidd-Robertson. For the sixth-grade challenge and social studies teacher, it's a well-deserved rest, because when it comes to education, Kidd-Robertson puts in the hours.
Each school day, Kidd-Robertson leaves for Tanglewood early in the morning and doesn't arrive home again until 10 p.m.
In addition to teaching, Kidd-Robertson is also the Tanglewood girls basketball coach, the School Improvement Council chairman, and a member of the building committee for Tanglewood's new school currently under construction. She's the classroom technology coordinator, student government advisor, new teacher mentor and is also on the guidance counselor committee.
"I love Tanglewood and just want to get involved with these kids and their families as much as possible," said Kidd-Robertson. "I can get on my cell phone and call parents, or sit down at my computer and e-mail them."
After leaving Tanglewood each day, Kidd-Robertson goes straight to Clemson University for classes from 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m., part of the Southern Regional Education Board Leadership program to earn certification to become a principal.
On the rare occasion she's away from school, Kidd-Robertson is involved with various church activities. She's an assistant minister at Valley Brook Outreach Baptist Church, as well as the coordinator of the church's new members ministry.
"I do several revivals in the Greenville area — a lot of youth revivals," Kidd-Robertson said.
The dedication Kidd-Robertson has shown to Tanglewood, and the aspiration she's shown to move into school administration may be surprising considering her goals entering college.
Kidd-Robertson grew up in Mobile, Ala. She went on to attend Auburn University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice with the hope of becoming a lawyer someday. While she was pursuing her degree, Kidd-Robertson worked as an intern at a police department in Lee County, Ala. That internship soon turned into a full-time job as a police officer.
"So I worked third shift, then went to school during the day," Kidd-Robertson said.
As she worked in law enforcement, Kidd-Robertson became disturbed and disappointed at the number of kids she saw breaking the law. That's when she decided she needed a new career — one that would allow her to help children stay on a straighter path.
She went on to earn a master's degree in elementary education at Auburn and began teaching at Stone Academy after moving to Greenville 10 years ago. She also taught at Baker's Chapel Elementary before coming to Tanglewood four years ago.
Kidd-Robertson says she hasn't regretted any career decisions.
"One of the things I really enjoy about teaching here is that it gives me the opportunity to tell children ... 'no matter what the circumstances are around you, you can always overcome that situation,'" Kidd-Robertson said. "I've come to realize that working with kids is my natural, God-given gift."