LaTonya Robinson (B.A.Ed. ’98, M.Ed. ’99) is the Oxford School District 2017 Administrator of the Year — Photo submitted by Oxford School District
Being passionate, providing steady leadership, confronting challenges head on and holding people accountable—these are all qualities that make this year’s Oxford School District (OSD) Administrator of the Year shine. Della Davidson Elementary School Principal and SOE Alumna LaTonya Robinson (B.A.Ed. ’98, M.Ed. ’99) is the 2017 Oxford School District Administrator of the Year.
This is the second time in five years for Robinson to receive the top professional award for OSD administrators. In 2012, she received the award from the school district, where she has served as administrator for a total of seven years.
“The way that Mrs. Robinson handles challenges presented to her—whether expected or unexpected—is just one example of how her leadership style allows her to lead her team to rise to the top, no matter what obstacles are set before them,” said OSD Superintendent Brian Harvey.
With 651 children in her school, it’s not an uncommon practice for Robinson to give her “woo-hoo’s” of praise over the school intercom for students or teachers doing something great. She admits she’s always good for a hug, too, especially when it comes to her students. Under her leadership, the Oxford third- and fourth-grade school is ranked No. 2 in the state out of all other elementary, intermediate and middle schools in statewide accountability ratings. The Oxford School District is the No. 1 public school district in Mississippi based on 2015-2016 accountability scores from the Mississippi Department of Education.
“Earning the top ranking in the state is a win in which all Oxford schools contributed; however, Della Davidson Elementary School stands out as the MVP (Most Valuable Player) when it comes to our district’s accountability rankings,” Harvey said.
Robinson said that the news about the school performing at the very top among its peers and other schools was simply hard work that paid off for students and teachers.
Her career in public education began as a classroom teacher teaching language arts to fourth- and fifth-graders. Robinson taught for four years before she ever began entertaining the idea of becoming a school administrator. She credits her own teachers for her personal decision to enter the field of public education.
“My teachers were my role models, my superheroes,” said Robinson. “Growing up in the Mississippi Delta, during a very interesting time, we did not have a whole lot in our classrooms. The teachers themselves were a force! You could never tell they struggled in any way; simply put, they brought their ‘A’ game to school everyday.”
Robinson attended kindergarten through 12th grade in the Clarksdale Public School District, where she said, “Our teachers pushed us, and they said, ‘You will do because I said so.’ They compelled us to be better, there was no other choice. My teachers took care of me, they took care of my needs. I wanted to be that person for another child.”
Robinson noted that teaching for her is eternal: she will always be a teacher.
“I love everything about teaching,” said Robinson. “For me, being a leader, being a principal did not happen as a way for me to get away from teaching. I just remember all my pervious school administrators saying I needed to be an administrator. They would often comment to me that one day I would do their job.”
Robinson was the teacher who was always organized and wanted to get other teachers organized; she was the person on the school hall that other teachers went to when they needed something. At first, the thought of becoming an administrator was met with the instant answer, “No,” then things changed.
“I thought about the reach I could have as an administrator, how many more students I could reach as an administrator as opposed to the 23-25 students in a class,” said Robinson. “Realizing I could reach so many more if I did this (become an administrator), made the decision to become one so much easier for me.”
During her time as principal at Della Davidson Elementary School, Robinson incorporated data nights, a data-driven leadership style, which helps parents to see where their children are performing academically and how they can academically perform better and grow with the help of parents and/or family support. Robinson was also at the school’s helm during the district-wide grade reconfiguration process, when school district officials realigned grades, bringing new schools into existence to address the current growing student population.
“The saying that ‘Talent wins games, but teamwork wins championships,’ is true when it comes to Mrs. Robinson and her team,” said Harvey. “Our third- and fourth-grade students are performing well in math and English language arts on state tests, their academic needs are being met daily. These students are growing to reach their full potential as students and humans because of teachers and school leaders such as Mrs. Robinson.”
Robinson said that she owes a big thanks to Superintendent Harvey for having the faith in her to hire her as an administrator and to the district’s administrative team for the unending support.
She added, “I’m also thankful to the awesome team of people who make up Della Davidson Elementary School!”
At the end of the day, what’s Robinson’s advice to others?
“Surround yourself with the best people, give them the spotlight and allow them to shine. Ultimately, our success (at Della Davidson) is because of the teachers and their determination to be great!” Her other piece of advice: “Pray a lot!”
Robinson holds her undergraduate and graduate degree in elementary education from the University of Mississippi. She also holds her specialist degree in educational leadership from Delta State University. She is married to Dr. Marvin Robinson, and together they have three children: Mikaili, Makenzie and Peri Shaw.
By Kelly Graeber, Oxford School District
