Cicely Curtis has a unique way of teaching.

Next year, Curtis will be bringing those skills to R.B. Hudson Middle School as Principal for the 2019-2020 school year.

Curtis was recently honored for her commitment to excellence at the Bridge Crossing Jubilee Awards Dinner on March 4. She received the Bridge Award for her dedication to “Bridging Divides and Building the Beloved Community.” Curtis said the program is her idea about ending violence in the schools.

“Because violence is so prevalent in our communities, it inevitably infiltrates the doors of our schools,” Curtis said. “As I have seen this issue get progressively worse each year, I began researching, brainstorming, and most importantly, praying for solutions.”

A big part of Curtis’ program is encouraging non-violence and having Peace Days into the schools across Dallas County.

“When a Peace Day is declared, it means that there were no office referrals,” Curtis said. “This, however, does not exclude conflict, but means that if conflict was present, the issue was handled in a peaceful manner. Currently, Peace Days are recorded, announced, and rewarded.”

Curtis said her program required a few more things and she approached Selma City Schools Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams.

“As conflict/resolution is outlined in our District’s Strategic Plan, Dr. Williams agreed that I, along with three other colleagues in the district, could attend the Nonviolence Training,” Williams said. “A district-wide non-violence plan is now being developed as a result of our attending the Nonviolence Training at The Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth, and Reconciliation.’’

Curtis said she considers her return at R.B. Hudson Middle School as a homecoming. She attended the school and was once its Homecoming Queen. She is also a former Assistant Principal at R.B. Hudson Middle School.

“I am so grateful to be transitioning to R. B. Hudson,” Curtis said. “This means that I will be with this group of scholars for three years and be able to see the harvest of the many seeds that have been sown. Seeing your fruit is hopeful. I feel that my greatest challenge as Principal of RB Hudson will be shifting my mind from being a Soaring Eagle to a Powerful Bulldog (Bulldog Excellence).”

Curtis said she’s thrilled to serve as an educator in her hometown. She graduated from Selma High School in 1995.

“As I have a vested interest in the growth and development of Selma, it brings me joy to be a contributor in my service to our youth,” Curtis said. “I have always expressed interest in returning to my hometown and giving back.”

Curtis credits her family as a big part of her success. For the last 17 years, she’s been married to Walter Curtis, a Sgt. with the Selma Police Department. They have four children: Ebonaa (20), Walteria (14), Rachel (11), and Walter III (8).

“I have always had an excellent support system which helps with my family life,” Curtis said. “Whenever possible, my family is included in school functions so that we are all together. My life is structured where there are set activities that my family and I do together. I also have what I call my protected time, which is time that is only for my family. No one is allowed in that protected space.”

Curtis said being married to a law enforcement officer has its advantages.

“It is great being able to share ideas with my husband who is a sergeant with the Selma Police Department,” Curtis said. “His expertise in law and technology enhances me personally and professionally. We have four amazing children.”

Curtis’ road to an educator began at then-Concordia College, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Teaching in 2005. Immediately after graduation, she began as a fourth-grade teacher at Edgewood Elementary School.

“As an Edgewood Busy Bee in Classroom 15, it was an enormous sized room with its own restroom in the back corner, it was always a great day of teaching and learning,” Curtis said. “This is the place that manifested the vision and accomplishment of me becoming a National Board Certified Teacher.”

In 2012, Curtis became a fourth-grade teacher at Clark Elementary School and that started a successful stretch in her life.  She was named the school’s Instructional Coach in 2013. Curtis completed her Master’s Degree in Instructional Leadership at Alabama State a year later and hired as Assistant Principal at R.B. Hudson Middle School. In 2015, she was named Principal of School of Discovery Genesis Center (SOD).

“Serving as the principal of SOD has been rewarding,” Curtis said. “It has afforded me the opportunity to meet and impact over 200 anxious, new scholars each year. The greatest disadvantage, however, is only having our scholars for one year, because SOD serves only sixth grade students.”

Curtis, a member of Gospel Tabernacle Church, said her life goal is to “fulfill my God-given purpose.”

“Whatever I do in life, I desire to be in God’s perfect will and to enjoy the abundant, good life that is planned,” Curtis said. “In doing that, He will give me my heart’s desires, with one being to serve people and my community in a greater capacity for a Better Selma. After all, purpose is what gives life meaning.”

Curtis is looking forward to writing the next chapter of her life this fall.