NEW PRINCIPAL Q&A: Alvin Fields, Richwood High School

How did you get into education?

I actually ran from the education profession for some time, but my family is full of school professionals. My late mother was a teacher, my late grandmother was a cafeteria worker, and two of my uncles were custodians. I also have cousins who were teachers. I got into education after realizing that I wanted to impact people's lives. I changed my major during my sophomore year from mechanical engineering to secondary education and the rest is history. I was an athlete in high school and I wanted to coach and impact lives through athletics. My initial plan was to be a teacher and coach which naturally led me into my current role as principal. 

When did you realize you wanted to go beyond the classroom and become an administrator?

My transition into administration came after I moved back to Louisiana from Georgia. My former principal continually poured into me and told me that he saw me as an administrator. I initially did not want to venture toward that route that early in my career. I had always planned to maintain impactful relationships with students and athletes. However, I realized that being an administrator expanded my scale and I could ultimately impact more students. 

What kind of leader do you want to be?

I want to be a leader that inspires and instills belief and hope into all my students and staff. I plan to be a visible, effective and supportive leader. I plan to provide the vision for the students and staff and be the lead learner on my campus. I have always prided myself on leading by example and I plan on continuing to do so. 

What do you want to accomplish in the first nine week as principal?

In my first 9 weeks as principal, I envision our leadership team, staff and students settling in our new norms of hard work, respect and consistency. We are what we repeatedly do, so I plan to set the standards that our students and staff should all abide by. The goal is to encourage the students and the staff to be 1% better every day. I also plan to make sure parents, students, and staff know the instructional focus and see me in the class supporting that focus. I also plan to establish positive relationships with parents, students, and staff through various communication channels to encourage innovation and healthy dialogue. 

Who is Alvin away from school? Tell us about your personal life, hobbies and your family.

Away from school, I consider myself a jack of all trades. I love to cook with my specialties being boiling crawfish and grilling. I also love music and love to dance. I am a sneaker junkie and of course love sports. I try to work out as much as possible and I am a family man. I have been married to my beautiful wife Kim for 20 years and I have three sons: Kyran, Ashon, and Javon. 

THE FIELDS FILE:

2015-2025: Assistant Principal, Richwood High School

2012-2015: Teacher and Coach, Riser Middle School

2005-2012: Teacher and Coach, Sprayberry High School, Marietta, Georgia (Teacher of the Year 2010)

2004-2005: Social Studies and Science Teacher and Coach, Carencro Middle