Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Roosevelt McPherson is a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina.  He graduated from Anne Chesnutt High School in Cumberland County. He earned his BA degree in English Literature and his MA degree in Educational Leadership from Fayetteville State University. He earned his Doctor of Education degree from Nova Southeastern University.

He began his career in education in the community college system.  After working several years as a community college instructor, he became a public school teacher, and a few years later he was promoted to associate principal. He retired from the public school system in June 2010.

He is an ordained minister and pastor of Faith Christian Temple of North Carolina.  He is the author of the books titled Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled: Living with God in the Worst of Times and the Best of Times, 31 Things Every Child Should Learn to Say, and 52 Things Every Child Should Learn at Home. He is currently completing another book titled, Sunni Triangle -- The Story of an American Soldier. Earlier in his career he worked as a journalist for several newspapers.  He was the founder of a popular weekly newspaper, The Public Post, that served three counties in the southeastern North Carolina.

He served three years in the active Army during the Vietnam-ear.  In 2004 he served a tour of duty in Iraq as a member of the North Carolina Army National Guard. He retired from the Guard after serving his country for more than twenty years. He resides with his wife, Carrie, in Raeford, North Carolina. He has three children and five grandchildren.

I'm committed to helping students achieve their maximum learning potentials and to helping teachers do what they love to do best -- teach. I understand thoroughly the process of educating children to make them successful citizens in a global society. I have more than 20 years of teaching and administrative experiences in public schools.

I know how to work with various stakeholders to accomplish state and district goals. I served students, teachers, parents in the communities of Hoke and Cumberland. I worked diligently to earn my bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in education. I'm uniquely qualified to serve on the school board because of my broad background of educational experiences and my passion for helping students, teachers and parents.

If I am elected to the Hoke County Board of Education, the citizens of Hoke County can be assured I will work vigorously, diligently and collaboratively to make Hoke County Schools the best place in America to send a child for an education.

I am a strong advocate of:

• Getting gangs and crime out of schools
• Closing the academic achievement gap
• Building a new high school in Hoke County
• Having every child treated with respect
• Having every teacher treated as a professional
• Giving every teacher a chance to get extra professional development as needed
• Getting all parents involved in their children's education
• Soliciting more community support from churches, businesses, and civic groups
• Supporting principals, assistant principals and support personnel as they strive for excellence in education

A vote for me is a vote for safe schools and high academic achievement for all students.  On election day vote ROOSEVELT MCHPHERSON for the Hoke County Board of Education -- a proven, experienced, visionary leader.