Area School Superintendents Began Education at Wallace Community College
By: Blake Deshazo
Updated: January 18, 2013
Dothan, Ala.--
Becky Birdsong, Donny Bynum, Dennis Coe, Lesa Knowles, Tim Pitchford,
and Tim Wilder have several things in common. They are all current or
former
area school superintendents and are alumni of Wallace Community College.
Some members of this elite group have been in their positions for several years, but two are new to their responsibilities. Lesa Knowles, superintendent of
Henry County Schools, and Becky Birdsong, Geneva County Schools, assumed their positions within the past year (Knowles served as interim beginning in December 2011). Dennis Coe was superintendent of Henry County Schools before Knowles and is now
a division director with the Office of Support Programs at the Alabama State Department of Education.
Knowles,
who was active in archery and tennis while at Wallace Community
College, considers herself "an avid supporter of Wallace College and the
role it plays in
our community." After attending WCC, Knowles transferred to Troy
University, where she received a bachelor's and master's degree in
Elementary Education, a master's degree in Educational Leadership, and
an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership.
After thirty years' experience as an elementary teacher, reading coach
and assistant principal, she assumed her position as superintendent of
Henry County Schools this month. "Our school system has an excellent
relationship with Wallace College, and we have
many students participating in dual enrollment. I have personal
experience with my own children attending Wallace College and receiving
an excellent foundation for their post-secondary education," said
Knowles.
Birdsong
also found that Wallace was a great place to start an education.
"Wallace Community College was a wonderful place to begin my education
after high school.
It provided a safe environment for me to make the transition from being a
high school student to that of a college student. When I transferred to
a 4-year university, I felt prepared for the course work required to
obtain my degree," she noted. Birdsong was
active in Phi Theta Kappa at WCC and transferred to the University of
Montevallo where she received a bachelor's degree in Education. She
earned a master's in Elementary Education from Troy University, and
later earned a certification in Administration from
Troy. In 2011, she earned an Education Specialist degree from Troy in
Educational Leadership. After 14 years of teaching, Birdsong entered
administration as principal at Geneva County Elementary in Hartford. She
became superintendent of Geneva County Schools
in July 2012.
Donny Bynum, superintendent of Dale County Schools, enjoyed
basketball as a student at Wallace Community College, and played under
Coach Johnny Oppert.
Bynum continued playing basketball after transferring to the University
of Montevallo. After graduating from Troy State University with a
bachelor's in Physical Education, Bynum held several roles in education,
including teaching, coaching, administration,
and education specialist with the Alabama State Department of Education.
He is beginning his fifth year as superintendent of Dale County
Schools. "WCC gave me an opportunity to grow as an individual and was an
excellent jump start to my professional career.
Without a doubt, WCC plays a vital role in our community." Bynum also
serves on the School Superintendents of Alabama Board of Directors
(president for district 3).
"Wallace
College was a great transition between small town, Houston County High
School, and Auburn University and prepared me for the challenges I faced
in education,"
said Tim Pitchford, superintendent of Houston County Schools.
After spending two years at WCC, Pitchford attended Auburn University
and received a bachelor's in Education and a master's from Troy
University. He served Houston County High School as a
teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal, and principal.
Pitchford is serving his third term as superintendent of Houston County
Schools.
Tim Wilder,
superintendent of Dothan City Schools, played for a state baseball
championship with the Wallace Govs. He received a bachelor's in
Communication
from Georgia Southern University, a master's in Educational Leadership
from Florida State University, and is currently working on his Ed.D. in
Educational Leadership, also from Florida State University. Wilder was
appointed superintendent of Dothan City Schools
in 2011. Previously, he was elected superintendent of schools for Gulf
County, Florida, making him the youngest serving superintendent in the
state. Wilder has spoken in many states about leadership, teacher
morale, minority student achievement, and small/rural
districts and their role in education. Wilder, whose alma mater is Port
St. Joe High School in Florida, elected to attend Wallace Community
College in Dothan. "Attending Wallace Dothan was the best decision I
ever made," Wilder said, commenting on his choice.
"Small class sizes, caring and dedicated educators, classy people, and
the wonderful town of Dothan made my experience one I will never
forget."
"We
are so proud that these very accomplished professionals got their start
at Wallace Community College," said Linda C. Young, WCC president. "We
are grateful for
their support and advocacy." The group attended a recent district
superintendents' meeting at the Enterprise Service Center. The meeting
is an opportunity to better serve their students by sharing common and
unique experiences. The challenges of each district
are in the expert hands of educators who have obtained a level of
achievement that began, for each of them, with Wallace Community
College.
