Former AMS principal tapped for Partnership School coordinator post
A longtime Golden Triangle educator has been selected for an important role in the construction of the $27.5 million Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Partnership School.
Starting July 1, former Armstrong Middle School Principal Bob Fuller will take the role of Mississippi State University College of Education Coordinator for the Partnership School.
Fuller said the half-time position entailed him serving as the liaison between the College of Education and the District, coordinating programs and assets for the project. Other responsibilities will include providing support and co-leadership within the Partnership, working closely with administrators in the District, facilitating experiences for teacher interns and practicum students at the school and overseeing logistics of the project.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity, too,” Fuller said. “We’ve talked about the relationship between the university and the school district for years, but this is hopefully where we can make this happen.”
Fuller is a native of north Winston County, and holds Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees from MSU. During his tenure at Armstrong, the school was one of seven middle schools in the U.S. selected to participate in the creation of a national model for middle school reform. He was also named Administrator of the Year for the District on three separate occasions. Since his retirement, he has taught educational
leadership courses part-time at the Mississippi University for Women. He has also served as a regular presenter on middle school education.
“I can think of no other individual better suited to lead the College of Education’s efforts and work with the SOCSD on the establishment and development of the Partnership School,” said College of Education Dean Richard L. Blackbourn.
The Partnership School is scheduled for completion in January 2019, and once complete, will serve all sixth and seventh grade students in the District, as well as serving as a lab for students in the College of Education. The price tag is split between the District, at $12.5 million, the university at $5 million and the state of Mississippi at $10 million.