Division Director Series: Rob Blackwell

This fall marks Rob Blackwell’s third year at The Bush School. Throughout his nearly thirty-year career in education, Rob has taught in Middle and Upper School, coached basketball at all levels–from Middle School through NCAA Division 1–and has served as an Athletic Director, Middle School Dean of Students, and Interim Head of School.

 

“I strive to create an inclusive and engaging learning environment that fosters academic excellence and personal growth,” he shares. “A cornerstone of my educational philosophy is the unwavering commitment to keeping students safe in their learning environment, enabling them to trust these spaces as places where they can feel vulnerable and learn from their mistakes.” 

 

Rob remembers his own time as a Middle School student. “I always felt like people didn't understand me. I had a lot going on, both personally and physically. I was a lot taller than most kids my age and it always seemed like other people were looking at me and judging me. It was teachers like Miss Banks who were awesome at seeing the good in every child and making you feel special in your own unique way.” 

Rob’s previous school leadership roles include a number of positions in middle schools across the country. He served as Middle School Assistant Director at Lakeside School in Seattle, Middle School Head and Interim Head of School at Woodlawn School in Mooresville, NC, and Middle School Head, Middle School Dean of Students, and Founding Athletic Director at Adelson Educational Campus in Las Vegas, NV. Earlier in his career he served as the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, NY. 

 

“The Bush School’s reputation for innovation and commitment to providing students with a holistic education aligns seamlessly with my educational values. The school’s dedication to nurturing not only academic excellence, but also the social and emotional growth of students deeply resonates with my philosophy,” he said. 

 

“One thing I have learned along this journey, " Rob added, “whether on the East Coast, West Coast, upper end of the social economic status or lower end, every child deserves the right to receive a high quality education. And this right, particularly in middle school, includes being cared for, to be loved in a way that good schools love on kids, to be supported when they need help, and simply put, to validate them for who they are.” 

 

Rob is a curious educator who believes in lifelong learning. He earned a B.A. in Sociology from St. Bonaventure University, and a Masters of Education Administration from University of Phoenix. Rob studied at Yad Vashem’s The International School for Holocaust Studies in Jerusalem, Israel, and Harvard’s Graduate School of Education Leadership Program. 

 

One of Rob’s favorite parts of his job is classroom observations. “To listen and see kids making attempts to demonstrate that they understand what they have been taught. During this time, a lot of things transpire. One, the student feels safe enough in the classroom to take a risk. Two, the student trusts the teacher to help guide them should they make a mistake, and help put them on the right course. Not to give them the answer, but to support them along that journey towards their understanding of what the material is. When I watch that, I  get goosebumps.”

Check out this video to learn more about Rob.