Dr. Zheadric Barbra is the new deputy superintendent of the Liberty County School System.
Barbra made his community debut at a back-to-school rally held at Briar Bay Park July 14. Filling in for LCSS Superintendent Dr. Franklin Perry, who had a family emergency, Barbra said the school system was ready to welcome students and work toward, “Getting results and not excuses.”
“The district has moved forward with that tag line,” Barbra said noting it was implemented by Dr. Perry. “Results and not excuses, and excellence in everything.”
Barbra said LCSS is reviewing their processes and structure to make sure they are in line with meeting the ultimate goal in enriching students’ education.
“To provide them with the best education possible,” he said. “We have no reason to fall short of that because we have all the best resources and talent right here in Liberty County.”
Barbra recently served as the assistant superintendent of school reform for the Syracuse School District in New York. Born in Alabama, Barbra grew up in Ohio but said he calls Georgia home. He began his teaching career in 2001 as a fifth grade teacher in the DeKalb County School System in Decatur.
Barbra became an administrator in 2004, serving as an assistant principal at Carver Middle School in Monroe. In 2008, he was named principal at Carson Middle School in Greensboro. While serving as principal, Barbra received the Principal of the Year award from the National Alliance of Black School Educators.
Barbra said he is excited about the upcoming school year, and being able to work with children every day.
“We are waiting on them,” he said. “We are going to have fun but we are going to learn. We are going to get students ready to cross that stage this school year.”
LCSS Board Vice chair Verdell Jones, who also attended the back-to-school rally, called Barbra an energetic and passionate administrator invested in the student body.
At a board of education special called meeting Tuesday, Perry said Barbra has the ability to connect with students, engaging their interests.
“When I look to hire someone I look to hire the very best and he is the best,” Perry said. “We are excited to have him.”
Barbra said educators and administrators have the tendency, at times, to talk over students’ heads. He said he likes to speak to them at their level, especially when it comes to their future.
“Children do understand money and I like to tell them that the money is in the classroom,” he said. “You can’t learn anything in the hallway but if you are in the classroom that means you are getting the knowledge. And that knowledge is going to translate into money because you are going to be able to get jobs.”
Barbra said he speaks from experience. He and his four brothers, including one identical twin, grew up in a fatherless household. According to his biography, Barbra said he and his brothers used education to get them through many challenges including times of poverty, domestic violence and drug abuse. Barbra also served eight years in the U.S. Army.
He said students are future educators, lawyers, doctors, and leaders of the world. But the future starts now, in the classroom, remaining invested in their individual education.
“We want our students to understand clearly that if they do what they’re supposed to do educationally…they will be able to get a job with a sustainable income and a good life.”
