Monday, Jul. 13, 2009

‘My hope is I left things better’

Let's Talk is an occasional feature that allows readers to sit in on a conversation with someone in the news. E-mail suggestions to dkujawa@thestate.com.

------ This is the final week for William Gummerson as Lexington 3 school superintendent.

After six years as leader of Batesburg-Leesville schools, he’s heading to Appalachian State University in North Carolina to become a professor who trains other educators.

Gummerson, 56, was a military brat as a youngster before his family returned to his mother’s home state 40 years ago.

He taught at schools in the Columbia area before becoming a school administrator.

Gummerson talked about his experiences as a student and educator.

Were you an honor roll student as a youngster?

Gummerson: Absolutely not. I rarely ever carried a book in high school. In my first year of college, that showed at The Citadel. I decided then to get serious.

What was your favorite subject?

Gummerson: I always enjoyed history. A lot of that came from my travels in an Air Force family, particularly living in England for eight years.

Which course did you like least?

Gummerson: Algebra. The symbolism of math to me is definitely foreign.

How has dyslexia affected you as a school leader?

Gummerson: When it comes to numbers, I’ve learned over the years to back up, focus and go back and recheck.

What sports did you coach while teaching?

Gummerson: Football, softball and soccer. ... One of the Lower Richland (high school) soccer teams I assisted with was state runner-up.

When you go into (school) administration, you don’t have time for that (coaching).

What qualities are necessary for a good superintendent?

Gummerson: You have to have taught a number of years, be involved in committees and understand the process of how a school operates and the importance of extracurricular affairs.

The modern superintendent, urban or small, has many challenges. So many things outside of the job affect it — the politics and dynamics of the state and nation. You have to be involved in those to be effective.

How do you relax?

Gummerson: I do a lot of reading — politics, history, policy and military history. ... My wife (Carrie) is a skier. So I and our two daughters are going to have to learn after we settle in North Carolina. ... Each summer, we vacation in New Hampshire. I go to the Dartmouth book store — one of the great ones — and buy books, hike, camp and read.

What is your legacy as Lexington 3 superintendent?

Gummerson: My hope is I left things better than when I came.

— Tim Flach

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