BIOGRAPHY
My name is Derek Cobb and I am the Principal Resident Intern for the 2020-2021 school year at Ligon Magnet Middle School. I am from a small town called Hartwell, GA and I attended college at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) where I majored in Political Science. During my senior year I began working with elementary students as a behavioral interventionist at the third lowest school in Georgia. While there I came to realize that our educational system as we know it, was failing our students especially our students of color. I also understood my unique position as a black male in education.
After two years of working in early childhood education, I began to work in recruitment for the University of Georgia hoping to make an impact in getting more students of color enrolled. I spent countless hours hosting events and meeting with students of color hoping I could interest them in applying to the university. The majority of the conversations resulted in them not even thinking about going to college. It was then I made the decision to return back to the classroom where I can have more of an impact. I decided to join Teach For America and the organization sent me to Pitt County Schools in Greenville, NC where I taught 5th grade. After that I moved to Durham and taught 5th grade at Parkwood Elementary School for the next two years. In 2019 I was accepted to the NC State University Leadership Academy for school administration. While enrolled, I have continued my journey at Ligon. I am so grateful that Mr. Duvall saw fit for me to be a part of the team this year, and I have learned a great deal from every one of the great educators on the Ligon staff. I want to publicly thank all educators for all that you do for our scholars in ensuring they maximize their gifts. I look forward to what is to come! Derek L. Cobb Jr |
|