L'Homme sworn in as DPS Superintendent
DURHAM (WTVD) -- Dr. Bert L'Homme took the oath as Durham Public Schools Superintendent Monday.
L'Homme was sworn in by Superior Court Judge Elaine O'Neal Bushfan on the campus of North Carolina Central University.
L'Homme's record includes Superintendent of Franklin County Schools and Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Washington, among many other positions over a 35-year career in education.
He holds a Ph.D. in special education/public school administration from the University of Maryland.
"To have a superintendent who's been a career educator. He's been a curriculum instructor. He knows how to teach children to read," said DPS board chair Heidi Carter.
And L'Homme's a familiar face at school headquarters. He was assistant superintendent for DPS under Ann Denlinger from 1997 to 2003. Now, he's back in time to see issues like teachers thinking about quitting as legislators at the North Carolina General Assembly wrangle over salaries and potential cuts - like losing teaching assistants in the classroom.
"The teaching assistants are not extra," said L'Homme. "What I see in teaching assistants, they're more instructional assistants. They extend what the teacher is able to do in the classroom."
That attitude could help retain Durham teachers said Carter.
"Teachers like to work for superintendents who've been educators, because they understand what it's like in the trenches," she explained.
L'Homme is also open to new ideas. He said single-gender classrooms like the ones he had in DC can help students achieve.
"And I saw young men and women blossom into adults, into leaders," he offered.
Asked about a possible timetable for establishing schools like that, L'Homme answered, "That's a discussion I'll have to have with the school board. I know that's an issue that has already been discussed here in Durham."
