Written by Kyle Roberts
Richmond, Louisiana. For Wendall Crowe, the new principal of I.A. Lewis, it’s a real full circle moment.
A man who has devoted almost his whole professional career to teaching is now back where he started in 2006, albeit in a different capacity.
Before you ask, consider it a coincidence that his last name is the same as that of the famous Crowe family from Ruston’s illustrious educational past.
When I told someone my name in my first few years here, they would give me a sidelong glance, and I would instantly respond, “No relation,” Crowe remarked with a smile. Since I was acting as an assistant principal in the same capacity as David Crowe, they would have assumed I was him. Outside of Ruston, you can probably go back far enough to see that most families I’ve encountered don’t have the e on the end. Perhaps we do, but I’m not sure.
Crowe, a standout defensive lineman for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs under previous head coach Jack Bincknell, attended Lincoln High School in the Dallas area before coming to Ruston to earn a degree in education in 2006. His job choice was also influenced by the fact that both of his parents, Will and Blondell, were educators back home.
After his stint as a Bulldog, Crowe would have obviously loved to be in the National Football League, but only Arena Football officials expressed interest after visiting a showcase in Dallas.
According to Crowe, I couldn’t have made much money in the arena league at the time. I decided to pursue a career in education since it made more sense.
Crowe was recruited full-time at the Firmly Founded in 2011 after spending his first five years at I.A. Lewis teaching physical education and serving on Billy Laird’s staff for Ruston High School football. Crowe briefly left the educational system in 2013 and 2014 to operate his own marketing company. He then returned to Ruston High School in 2015 as an assistant principle, where he had been for the previous ten years, until being asked to lead I.A. Lewis.
After working under both current principal Dan Gressett and now-Lincoln Parish School Board Superintendent Ricky Durrett, Crowe declared, “I absolutely loved my time at Ruston High School.” Leaving Ruston High was one of the most difficult things to do. Actually, both times. The fact that I left on such good terms in the first place is what allowed me to return. There, I’ve affected the lives of many pupils and formed many relationships, the majority of whom I still communicate with today. Over there, it improved my leadership skills.
According to Durrett, he is happy that Crowe was hired and anticipates great things for the institution under his direction.
“We can’t wait for him to arrive,” Durrett said. I think he has some wonderful ideas, and he’s a great role model for the children that will be there. I’m excited for the positive things that will happen at that school since he has assembled an excellent administrative team.
The majority of the former teaching staff has been kept by Crowe, and all positions vacated by previous teachers have been replaced. Brooke Hoefler and Mandy Brown will both serve as assistant principals. Hoefler was the district’s Special Education Instructional Facilitator and the Math and ELA Instructional Coach, while Brown was most recently the principal of Ruston Elementary.
I.A. Lewis faces numerous problems as a sixth-grade-only school, all of which Crowe is prepared to handle in his role as principal.
According to Crowe, you’re getting pupils from three separate places: Dubach, Ruston Elementary, and Cypress Springs. Over the previous few years, they have all been in competition with one another, and that doesn’t even account for any potential transfers. I believe that you simply need to be understanding of the students’ situation and meet them where they are.
They will face difficulties, but we must also keep in mind that we have all been there before. From day one, we will show those children love by supporting them, talking to them, and fostering relationships.
