Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: Coming Full Circle

Davidson NC

02 June, 2022

5:12 PM

Description

Press release from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: 6/2/2022 Phillis Robertson is one of the fortunate teachers who has seen the results of her work come full circle. A pre-K teacher for 14 years, she met Zachary Dixon when he was her student at Winding Springs Elementary. On May 15, she celebrated his college graduation with him and his family. "The year he was in pre-K, his dad was deployed, and his mom worked," said Robertson, who provides instructional support for Bright Beginnings, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Pre-K program that will serve 57 elementary schools in the 2022-2023 school year. "Back then, we did home visits at the beginning of the year. COVID has changed some things, but one of the big pluses for CMS Pre-K is home visits and family connections. That's where they start connecting with schools and teachers, and that's what makes it so special being a pre-K teacher." Robertson and Dixon's mother got to know each other and realized that both of their daughters were on the North Mecklenburg High basketball team. No one was able to pick Dixon up at the bus stop to go to games, so he began staying after school with Robertson, and they would ride to the games together for the next four years. "Ms. Robertson was my first teacher in the school system – my first interaction," Dixon said. "She was big on rewarding students for achievement in the classroom and would give me candy, specifically Blow Pops. I also remember reading my first book with her. She was a caring person, and over the years, I always knew she would be there for me." After Winding Springs, Dixon attended J.M. Alexander Middle and Hopewell High. He played basketball at both schools, and Robertson attended some of his games each year. Dixon continued playing basketball at Tusculum University in Tennessee and graduated May 7 with a bachelor's degree in sports science and a minor in business administration. He also was presented with the Dr. David Bow Award, which is given to the sports science student who best exemplifies the characteristics of community service, education and leadership. Dixon said relationships have played an important role in his academic success by motivating him to stay on track. He currently has an internship at Ardrey Kell High, working with athletic teams on strength and conditioning, and is pursuing certification as a strength coach. He plans to pursue a graduate degree in sports management at Wingate University and hopes to ultimately join a college athletic program as director of sports performance. Robertson was the surprise guest at Dixon's graduation party, which included a lot of extended family members whom Robertson knew from attending basketball games. Dixon said he was almost speechless when Robertson walked in, and his mother let Robertson sit by the guest of honor. "It's very humbling and the culmination of a lot of good things," Robertson said. "It's just wonderful when you see their success, and that's why I'm such a proponent of pre-K. Having that foundation is important and gives them that little extra step that can make all the difference." This press release was produced by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The views expressed here are the author's own.