By: Oniska Blevins

Concetta Burton has served as an elementary school principal for many years, but she now welcomes a new challenge.

Effective June 1, Burton will serve as the new principal of R.B. Hudson Middle School.

Dr. Avis Williams, superintendent of Selma City Schools, said she has full confidence in Burton’s ability to lead the school in the right direction.

“I am super excited about her leading R.B. Hudson as we work to rebrand the school, because we are owning the fact that we have some challenges at our school right now,” she said.

Well aware of the concerns from both the parents and the community, Williams said that by hiring Burton she is hopeful that everyone knows she heard their pleas.

“We want to reassure parents and the community that we are taking proactive measures to resolve those challenges,” Williams said.

With more than 20 years as an educator, Burton has spent years

building and fostering relationships with people in the community and the school district.

“She’s a seasoned educator who grew up in Selma and has a wide variety of experience at different levels with Selma City Schools,” Williams said.

Burton’s many years of experience brings the knowledge necessary needed to successfully educate and lead middle school children.

“[It is important to] have a leader who can be in tune to the needs of our adolescent learners and making sure we have appropriate structures in place that address students at this particular age,” she said.

Both Burton and Williams expressed their interest in introducing the S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) academy to the school.

In the upcoming year, students will have a chance to work with various individuals in all different aspects of S.T.E.A.M. They will also be introduced to new technology and utilizing it as a part of their learning experience.

“A curriculum, such as the one that S.T.EA.M. will prepare students for the rigor that is required to be successful,” Burton said.

Creating a culture of learning in a safe enviornmnet that allows the students to reach their full potential is Burton’s goal for this upcoming year.

“Our main goal is to work on the culture and rebrand Hudson,” Burton said. “It’s going to take making major shifts and changes.”