by Clarence W. Thomas, Jr.
MGI Contributor

The Bibb County School year ends next month, and so does the storied tenure of Southwest High School Principal Bernard Young. But not without ending it on a high note before joining Peach County School System this fall.

For ten years Young split the difference as assistant principal and principal, after reluctantly embracing the opportunity because of hearsay and misperception, at the urging of his wife Macon-Bibb Judicial Circuit Chief Juvenile Court Judge Che Young and others. The late Joanna Summerow was particularly instrumental in convincing Young. She recruited him and believed he was the one to lead Southwest into the future he shared.
Young quickly earned the nickname “10 Day Man”, a nod to his suspension periods, because of his fast, tough approach to getting students in line. One day following a near fight between some students, he was changed to the opposite instantaneously by one of the young men involved. “I went after him really hard and he asked me why I was acting like that? At that moment I saw my son. From that moment on I started seeing my kids here differently. It forced me to start taking more time getting to know them,” he said.

If you ask Young about his accomplishments as principal he feels changing Southwest culture is his most cherished one. Pride was down. No one – students, teachers, or parents – wanted to be there, Young says. He went to work on turning things around by changing the perception and got buy-in from them all, eventually making Southwest High School a place to celebrate and a school they all love coming to. He really knew he was on to something when four principals from other schools enrolled their children there. “Teachers, kids and their parents love coming here now because we give them a sense of belonging.”

Under Young and his utilization of the southern African principle Ubuntu, “I’am because we are”, Southwest made great strides academically too, proving that it’s not just the home of champions and cheering. The school’s graduation rate is up and many students are eyeing college as a viable pathway towards professional careers.

Young joins Peach County Schools as the assistant superintendent. It’s a step up and point of pride.The Athens, Georgia native is grateful for the opportunity to co-manage the school system and super excited about the endless possibilities, seeing it a full circle moment since it’s where his teaching career was launched.

Officials there obviously realized what they have in him, agreeing to let him finish out the school year at Southwest because of his desire to see children he’s been helping walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. He’s still looking ahead and his plan of action as the new assistant superintendent of Peach County Schools includes getting to know staff first before applying his methodology as principal of Southwest – which is rooted in his rearing.

“They took me in and gave me that family atmosphere. I was chosen by Peach County for a reason. I plan to be a blank slate that goes in to see what the needs are in order to give back,” said Young. He also desires to develop new leaders who will have a greater impact by giving them personalized attention based on what they already know. “I believe they already have everything they need to be successful. One of my goals is to work with them to achieve as thought partners.”

Peach County School System will have a voice, says Young. He promises to listen and will advocate for them, always asking them to do what’s best for the county. He believes in everyone working towards the same cause and will combine that with the experiences of each employee to move the school system forward. “I want to assure them that I’m there to serve them,” he added before saying that wherever his feet are planted that place is home.

And to his Southwest High School family on his way out Young says, “Thank you! You chose me. I came in one way and being there I learned so much more from all the experiences I had there that made me into the person I am now that will carry what I learned at Southwest and become a better person and leader. I just want to say thank you for teaching me how to love and learn things I don’t understand.”