(by Don Meador, Allen County Schools, October 23, 2019)
As parents and guardians drive through the afternoon pick-up line or visit the Allen County Primary Center (ACPC), a new administrative face awaits. In early September, Robbie Calvert assumed the role of assistant principal, stepping into a newly-created position at the 1,000-student school.
“I graduated from Allen County-Scottsville High School in 1985 and the University of Kentucky,” Calvert said. “I have a Masters in Special Education and my Certificate in Administration from the University of the Cumberlands. I have been teaching special education for 10 years.”
Calvert’s path to education and to administration has taken a not-so-traditional route.
“I grew up around agriculture and loved it,’ Calvert explained. “After graduating from the University of Kentucky I went into the agriculture industry. The company I worked with for several years went in a different direction so I decided to do what I had always wanted to do. I had wanted to be a teacher so I went into teaching and have loved it every since.”
Calvert transitioned last month from teaching at the James E. Bazzell Middle School to the assistant principal’s role at ACPC---a move that left him extremely excited for the opportunity to work with younger kids.
“I’m very excited,” Calvert added. “I loved the middle school age and I know it’s a very different world over here. But, I love this age group as well. It’s been very exciting so far and I have enjoyed every minute of it.”
To parents who are not familiar with Calvert, his hope is that parents of
ACPC students will realize his love for all children and his desire to see them
find success in the early stages of their educational journey.
“I’m a very caring person and I love kids,” Calvert said. “To me first and foremost, what’s in the best interest to every kid is what is important to me. I would want our parents to know that, at the beginning of the day and at the ending of the day, what’s best for their child is my desire. That’s why I am here. I just want to help kids.”
Calvert and his wife (Karla) are the parents of three children---Maggie
(25), Sam (23), and Charlie (18). Maggie is a graduate of Campbellsville
University, Sam is studying optometry at Ohio State University, and Charlie is
a senior at Allen County-Scottsville.
Away from school, Calvert raises beef cattle on his farm in the county.
In addition, Calvert is in his tenth year as pastor of the Cedar Cross
Missionary Baptist Church in northeast Allen County, a role that he says helps
him in his role at the Primary Center.