December 6, 2005: Headlines: Civil Rights: 1960's: Mobile Registe: Ross Hobbs says: "I didn't go into the Peace Corps but went to Selma as a teacher."
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December 6, 2005: Headlines: Civil Rights: 1960's: Mobile Registe: Ross Hobbs says: "I didn't go into the Peace Corps but went to Selma as a teacher."
Ross Hobbs says: "I didn't go into the Peace Corps but went to Selma as a teacher."
"I had been accepted in the Peace Corps. In the 1960s there was a social revolution going on in our country, and I wanted to be a part of it. I didn't go into the Peace Corps but went to Selma as a teacher. I was the only white person at the elementary school. I taught for two years then returned to Livingston for my master's," he said. "I also married my math teacher at Livingston.
Ross Hobbs says: "I didn't go into the Peace Corps but went to Selma as a teacher."
He always looked for ways to better educate his students
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
By BRENDA G. ANDERSON
Correspondent
Caption: Alabama state troopers swing nightsticks to break up a civil rights voting march in Selma, Ala., March 7, 1965. As several hundred marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge to begin a protest march to Montgomery, state troopers assaulted the crowd with clubs and whips. (AP Photo/File)
Ross Hobbs believes in education, he believes in thinking outside of the box and he believes in turning any negative situation into a positive one.
Because of his attitude, Hobbs has accomplished some extraordinary feats in his academic career and his private life.
After an active social life in high school, Hobbs graduated from Livingston University in 1972 with an art and history degree.
"I had been accepted in the Peace Corps. In the 1960s there was a social revolution going on in our country, and I wanted to be a part of it. I didn't go into the Peace Corps but went to Selma as a teacher. I was the only white person at the elementary school. I taught for two years then returned to Livingston for my master's," he said. "I also married my math teacher at Livingston.
"I returned to Selma where I was a principal for 19 years at Byrd Elementary School. Later, I got my education specialist degree," he said.
During this time, Hobbs also taught adult education, served as a marketing director for seven banks and was constantly thinking of ways to better educate his students.
"After 19 years as principal, I was asked to start a school of academics and the arts that served all sixth-graders in the Selma public schools. For five years, I was the principal at the School of Discovery. It was a wonderful school where the arts were incorporated into every discipline. We had a creative curriculum for these children," he said.
"I tried to expose these kids to everything I could. Some had never seen the ocean. You can read about the ocean, but until you feel the sea spray in your face or taste the salt water, you won't understand it," he said.
"I had five gardens set up on campus. One was for the handicapped children. I wanted my blind students to use their senses, to smell the flowers, feel the different texture of leaves and hear the water flowing.
"I had fresh flowers and soft music playing in the halls," said Hobbs. "I always thought outside of the box to help these children."
Because of this, Hobbs was awarded the Alabama Art Award of the Year and the Southeastern Art Award of the Year. His resume lists award after award for his work in the educational and art community. But his most prized is the Spirit of America award for helping refugees from Laos.
Time moved on and he was offered a job in North Carolina to develop a school based on the School of Discovery, but declined at the last minute. Instead, Hobbs and his wife went to work for the Alabama Department of Education helping schools in trouble with test scores.
In addition, Hobbs was restoring homes built in 1825, 1855 and two built in 1875. "I used my own money as well as grant money to restore these beautiful places. I had a construction crew, which I supervised. Art and my history degree came into play with these projects," he said.
After 35 years in education and a stack of prestigious awards, Hobbs decided to retire and move south to Fairhope. "I was a shaker and a doer, now I am slowly getting involved in the community. Right now I am working on my yard and my house," he said.
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Story Source: Mobile Registe
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Civil Rights; 1960's
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