Robert Young, director of Title I and testing at Rome City Schools, greets Debbie Downer, director of cirriculum and instruction at Rome City Schools, at his retirement party at Main Elementary, December 2, 2012. Young is retiring after nearly 37 years of service in the school system. (Brittany Hannah/RN-T)
Robert Young (second from left), director of Title I and testing, talks with Rosemary Hammonds (from left), lunchroom manager at Rome High, Bill Hammonds, retired maintenance worker for Rome City Schools and Board of Education member Will Wood at his retirement party at Main Elementary, December 2, 2012. Young served a variety of positions in the system throughout his career from science teacher at West Rome High to assistant principal at the same school. (Brittany Hannah/RN-T)
Robert Young, director of Title I and testing for Rome City Schools, speaks with his father Earl Young at his retirement party at Main Elementary, December 2, 2012. Many of Young's co-workers, friends and family members filled the school's library to celebrate his retirement. (Brittany Hannah/RN-T)
Before setting his sights on education,
Young was inspired to pursue science by his teachers in junior high. He received a double major in chemistry and biology at Berry College and, while at the school, an acquaintance suggested that he try a job in education.
The suggestion turned out to be a fruitful one. Young served as a science teacher and part-time administrator at West Rome High School for 11 years and as an assistant principal for another year. He also served as an administrator for services and federal programs before earning his current position.
During his time as a teacher, Young said he earned an invaluable sense of what teachers encounter in their jobs and he brought those lessons along with him as he advanced in the system.
“It gave me an awareness of how to work with boys and girls,” said Young. “I always kept that in mind when I worked on a variety of the programs at the central office.”
Young may be retiring from the school system but he said he’s not looking towards longterm rest and relaxation at the golf course just yet. He’s considering a variety of options, from teaching at the college level to doing further administration work at a public school or post-graduate campus.
“I’m not ready to hang up my cleats, so to speak,” said Young. “I’m ready to get back to work and find a new avenue to profess my professional interests.”
Looking back on his time with Rome City Schools, Young said he appreciated working his entire career under one system.
“I believe that the teachers and admin put their primary concern on what is best for boys and girls,” said Young. “There’s a great deal of energy that is directed towards education of children. The bottom line is that I’m very proud to have served in Rome City Schools.”
Young plans to remain in Rome with his wife Lora Young, principal at Main Elementary, and their two children, Chasen, 14, and Holden, 12.
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