LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Robert Craig Washington was nominated by his spouse, Barbarette Washington,

As a spouse and father, Mr. Washington is a loving and patient man who always puts others before himself. He takes that same level of selflessness to work each day as he mentors and provides support to students, staff, and parents. He truly is a transformational leader who inspires students to reach their fullest potential. They can always depend on him for guidance or support. His tenacity, perseverance and the overall success of his students is shown through his thoughts, words, and actions on a daily basis.

Southside Middle School is one of three middle schools in Florence School District One. Southside Middle resides on the southern side of the city of Florence, and it's comprised of only seventh and eighth grade students. In the past 10 years, school enrollment has ranged from 843-930 students. Southside’s school attendance zone includes traditional neighborhoods, rural home sites, subsidized housing, apartments, and mobile home parks. The school has historically served special needs students throughout the district and the surrounding counties through a program called Project Share. Since the school hosts the program for special needs students, Southside has maintained a special education population that ranges from 20-24.8% of the total population.

Every day, Mr. Washington's skills as an educator are put to the test. Without fail, he doesn't falter. He lives by the slogan of “Monitor and Adjust," and his staff have adopted the same outlook on challenges. Through his hard work, vision, and passion for creating successful opportunities for students, the school has thrived under his leadership.

When he was selected to become principal of Southside Middle School, the first year was met with great challenges. The school’s state assessment results indicated that the school was a failing school. The school had earned a less than desirable reputation. It had held a “Below Average” Absolute rating and an “Unsatisfactory or At-Risk” improvement rating since the inception of the school report card concept.

As he began to work towards systematic change, Mr. Washington collaborated with key stakeholders to develop modifications to enhance the overall school curriculum. Parents and teachers agreed that communication needed to be improved. They wanted improvement in the environment to promote student safety. They felt these improvements would increase the reputation of the school.

One of the first steps they took toward improving communication was to establish teams. The newly established teams consisted of four teachers; rather than eight per team. The four-member teams were designated a common planning period that allowed them to collectively meet students and parents. Teachers were able to collaborate regarding student academic progress collectively and individually. The school began hosting a parent workshop called Southside Social as a way for the staff to engage family.

Southside Socials are an opportunity for the school to engage parents and students in family-centered themes. The activities range from family game nights, art based, STEAM night, and poetry night. Mr. Washington is passionate about the socials, which are sponsored by the Exceptional Education Department. He believes that parents must be an active part of the educational process. To maintain and foster a positive partnership with parents and the community, his school is responsible for making them feel comfortable and welcome

Almost 5% of the student population was older than average for the grade in which they were currently enrolled, and it has historically been a problem for the school. Although Southside Middle was a seventh and eighth-grade school, many students were repeating grades and spending four or more years at the school. School administration was being forced to consider age appropriate placements. Mr. Washington disagreed with this concept because he felt it did not offer the students the greatest opportunity for success. He created the “Summer Bridge” program for students who are over age for their current grade. The program is now a part of the district initiative to support at-risk students across all middle schools.

Under his leadership, Southside Middle School has transformed. Although the school’s facilities are over 50 years old, the school’s staff is progressive in their instructional approach. The school is an ABC School (Arts in Basic Curriculum), Distinguished Arts School, and currently hosts an arts academy with future aspirations of becoming an arts magnet school for the district. The school has earned the Palmetto Gold and Silver Award for their academic gains. Most recently, the school achieved the status of becoming AdvancEd STEM certified. 

Southside Middle has a reputation for being a quality public school where all children can be successful. The school has received numerous awards, accolades, and acknowledgments. Southside was the first middle school to become a Healthy Schools Award Winner in the state of South Carolina. The school is also a National Healthy Schools Bronze Winner. Both of these awards were received in recognition of the school’s commitment to the health and wellness of its students, staff, and teachers. They are committed to health and wellness through food choices in the cafeteria, the school garden, and exercise opportunities for teachers, staff, and students. They believe in educating the total child. Their wellness initiatives reach students physically, so they can work mentally at their optimal level in the classroom.

"I am so proud of the family-friendly and supportive spirit of Southside," Barbarette said. "I have faith and confidence in the staff and students at Southside. My husband’s leadership made this possible. He has often said that he trusts the school staff so much that he would allow them to teach our children, and he did. Both of our daughters were students there. They have special needs and receive special education services. I feel the environment at Southside provided them with the best opportunity for success and growth by preparing them to face today’s challenges with character."

Southside has a Food and Clothing Bank that provides meals and clothing to students, their families, and even staff members who are in need of assistance. They collect funds to support individuals and families without essential living necessities such as electricity, water, or even a place to stay. They support staff members when they, or a member of their family, is hospitalized, by providing meals for the family or child care.

"Craig inspires and encourages others around him to think outside the box, envision the possibilities, strive for excellence, and to reach their fullest potential," Barbarette said. "He strives to positively touch the lives of students, teachers, staff, and parents each day through his actions and words. I am honored to nominate my husband for the 2017 National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year Award. I could not think of anyone else more deserving of this honor."