Assistant Principal Encourages Students to Discover Passions

By Leslie Cranford, Section Manager

If you had asked Rhonda Coursey several decades ago what she wanted to be when she grew up, she probably would have answered “a teacher.”

Earning her bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech, and her master’s in Educational Technology and Administration from Lubbock Christian University, she eventually made that happen. She has been in education for the past 25 years, and now Coursey is the newest assistant principal for TTU K-12.

“I wanted to become and educator to inspire, encourage and support students as they discovered their personal gifts and talents,” she said. “I wanted to create opportunities for them to explore their strengths and interests and experience successes. I wanted to team with parents to help guide students toward their unique and fulfilling future.”

Coursey says she loves watching students’ faces and hearing their excitement as they make discoveries about themselves and become excited to learn more. When the opportunity came to make a difference for virtual students, she jumped at the chance to help these young Red Raiders.

At a previous school, during COVID, Coursey was very involved in overseeing the virtual teachers and learners who chose to stay home and learn virtually. She saw many students flourish in that environment as opposed to their struggles she had seen when they were in the classroom. She says the opportunities provided by TTU K-12 for students to learn in an environment that best suits their learning style and/or family situation, no matter where they are, are aspects that persuaded her to join the TTU K-12 team.

“I am a proud Red Raider myself, and I love the amazing opportunities our TTU K-12 program provides students wherever they are in the world,” she exclaimed. “TTU K-12 provides vast learning opportunities for students with various academic or supplemental needs as well as an educational solution for students and families with a variety of lifestyles. The opportunity to reach students internationally is an exciting platform without limitations. Those things and the flexibility that our program provides are appealing.”

In her role as an assistant principal, Coursey supervises teachers and has conferences with them as well as students and parents to ensure that the academic elements of the TTU K-12 program are effective. She is the primary contact regarding concerns and will quickly and effectively determine solutions.

 “I love developing relationships with our TTU K-12 team, teachers, and families to ensure positive teaching and learning experiences for all,” Coursey added. “It is so exciting to see our TTU K-12 footprint expanding and the incredible academic impact we can continue to have across the globe.”

Coursey does have a personal piece of advice, as an educator, that she would offer students.

“This goes back to why I became an educator. I encourage students to seek to discover their talents and passions, endeavor to learn and grow in those areas, develop their purpose with them, and then find ways to serve their community. In doing this, they will discover a most fulfilling life all the while impacting their community, however large, in a positive way.”