After
twenty-one successful years in education, Cicely was on a smooth
road, winding down a wonderful career path. In just nine years,
she would be eligible for retirement, after leading a high-performing
school. This was her trajectory, until she decided to jump from her
comfort zone, into the most provocative challenge of her professional
career. This was two years ago, when she accepted the position
to lead Alderson Elementary, which had been an Improvement-Required
campus for four years. A principal colleague whispered in her ear
before knowing that she accepted the position, “Now that’s career
suicide, taking on THAT school!” But all she could hear in her ear
was her mother’s advice. “Cicely, if you don’t want to take on
the challenge, then who will? The next leader of Alderson has to
WANT to be there! You have to lead Alderson, believing that you are
the principal of YOUR future doctor, who might be taking care of YOU
or even the NEXT president!”
So
that’s her present situation. She stands at the front entrance of
Alderson and greets her students and parents, on a daily basis with a
smile. She is fully aware that she is shaking the hands and hugging
those who will be in the driver’s seat and leading this great
country! Lubbock Independent School district had only one option,
when she took over as principal. That option was for her to use any
means necessary, to lead her school out of Improvement Required
status, to one that Met Standards.
That
is exactly what she and her team did! For her, turning Alderson
around is personal. Her husband and his nine siblings, yes, ten in
all, attended Alderson, many years ago. Her ninety-year old
father-in-law still lives just blocks away. The classrooms at
Alderson have
third or fourth generation cousins to her husband; whose survival is
contingent upon their success at Alderson. She couldn’t fail this
community- her community.
This
is far more than a job or even a career choice. It has been a calling
that she strives to complete, with conviction, regarding
every decision that she makes. She is very well aware that she and
her team are changing lives and thereby, generations.
Throughout
her 25 year career span, Cicely has been a classroom teacher, math
specialist, behavior counselor, assistant principal and now
principal. She has been a guest lecturer at Texas Tech University and
served on the Education Advisory Board at Lubbock Christian
University. She was a TEPSA Region 17 Assistant Principal of the Year
Nominee in 2011 and was a 2019 TEPSA Region 17 National Distinguished
Principal of the Year Nominee.
Principal
Alexander wears many hats and one she holds dear is First Lady of
Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, in Levelland, Texas, where she
works, alongside her husband in full time ministry. They have worked
full-time in this ministry for eight years, although they have spent
their entire marriage serving in ministry, in some capacity. She
currently serves as praise team leader, choir member, youth leader
and as head of the local Women’s ministry. She is most proud of her
beloved family. Her husband, Ben, of 25 years, is Executive Director
of South Plains College Lubbock campus, and their three beautiful
children: Benjamin Ashton (21)- a junior and known spoken word artist
attends Harvard University; Adyson Grace (18)- a college freshman,
artist, orator and musician in her own right, attends an HBCU, Xavier
University and Benjamin Harrison (12)- a 7th grade robotics and chess
strategist at Hutch Middle School in Lubbock, Texas. Her newest hat
is that of a student, again! She started the spring semester, as a
doctorate student at Texas Tech University, where she will begin the
Educational Leadership program in School Improvement. Regardless of
the hat that Cicely wears, she trusts that she is being guided by The
Holy Spirit to direct her path.