In May, the Board approved Principal Adam Hill’s appointment to Assistant Superintendent, leaving an opening at Dickerson Middle School. That position has now been filled. Current Dodgen Assistant Principal Bradley Blackman will take over leadership at Dickerson beginning next month.
A twenty-year Cobb teaching veteran, Principal Blackman has taught high school and middle school and has been in administration for several years.
Principal Blackman also has a personal connection with Dickerson, as he reveals in his Principal Profile Q&A.
Question: Why are you excited about joining the Dickerson Middle School community?
Answer: Dickerson has a long tradition of excellence, and I can’t wait to see the amazing things the staff and students do daily. The parents and community are very supportive, and I am excited to meet and work with them. I also attended Dickerson when I was in middle school, and I can’t wait to walk the hallways like I did when I was a kid.
Q: What impresses you most about the Dickerson students, and what can the school community expect to see under your leadership?
A: The students at Dickerson have traditionally had some of the highest test scores in the state. Year in and year out, they have excelled. I also know that Dickerson is a PBIS school and that most students get to participate in Fresh Air Fridays for displaying the qualities and characteristics expected of all students. They are also able to balance their academics with extracurricular activities, such as music and athletics.
Under my leadership, you will see a school that focuses on teaching and learning. I believe that building positive relationships between stakeholders is imperative for a school to be successful. You’ll find our teachers using highly effective teaching strategies to engage students and create academic growth.
Q: What does student success look like to you?
A: Success looks different for each student. I believe it is the job of all our staff members to help students strive to reach their fullest potential. Sometimes success starts with failure, but each and every day is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Q: What do you like most about being in education, and what is your favorite memory as an educator?
A: I really enjoy working with teachers and students to create a learning environment that is welcoming yet challenging. It is exciting to see teachers instill a passion for learning and watching students progress from the first day of school to the last.
My favorite memory as an educator was when I was a high school teacher. I used to read the names at graduation. There is nothing better than seeing a student walk across the stage and shake hands with everyone on stage with a smile on their face and their family cheering for them in the stands. It takes everyone in that student’s life from Kindergarten through senior year of high school to make that happen.
Q: Outside school, where might students, parents, or staff members run into you?
A: I have two sons who play sports, so there is a good chance you’ll run into us at a baseball field, basketball court, or swimming pool. We also live in the area, so you may find us out and about in the community. If you do, please stop and say hello!
Welcome (back) to Dickerson, Principal Blackman. We look forward to a new school year under your direction and can’t wait to see what comes next for you and the school!
