NEW ADMINISTRATOR HOPES TO BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL

Al McFerren said only his job description, and not his work ethic, have changed since he became the third black administrator to work in Cape Girardeau schools this week.

McFerren, who was hired Friday as director of the Alternative Education Center, said he plans to apply the strong work ethic his parents honed in his youth and encourage his students to do the same.

"I want to hammer idea they need to stay focused and show them that hard work pays off," said McFerren, who has worked as a teacher at the juvenile detention center for the past three years. "The same characteristics and principles and values that I was taught, those are the kinds of things I want to pass on to those students."

McFerren replaces Deena Simmons Ring, who resigned to become special services director for Perryville schools.

He is the third black administrator -- following former alternative school director Sheldon Tyler and current Alma Schrader principal Frank Ellis -- to work in the district.

Looks to role models

McFerren said he sees Tyler and Ellis as role models for himself and others. He also hopes to demonstrate to students at the alternative school and throughout the district that hard work can help them attain their goals.

"If I can transpose that kind of philosophy into education and administration as well as Frank has, and create a positive role model for the majority of the kids -- not just that black kids -- who have lost hope and focus because their family structure is really fragmented, that would be a good thing," McFerren said.

Joyce Barylski, an English teacher at the alternative school since its inception seven years ago, credited Ring with expanding the enrollment and curriculum offerings at the school. She said McFerren should make a kind and caring administrator for the school's 60-plus students.

"Somebody in a position of being on their side always will be helpful," said Barylski. "Too many of them have had authority figures who weren't on their side."

Mark Bowles, assistant superintendent of schools, said McFerren's working relationship with the juvenile justice system and educational background will benefit him in his new role.

"I think Al's got the kind of leadership and interpersonal skills that will help him identify with teachers, parents and students in a way that will keep that program running very smoothly," Bowles said.

cFerren's rise to school administration took some detours over the years. He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1975 at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, then started working toward a master's degree in guidance and counseling.

He dropped out of the graduate program early on to support his young family, and spent the next 20 years working in a variety of private-sector jobs.

He returned to school five years ago to earn teaching certification and became a certified social studies teacher last month. He's currently working toward a master's degree in school administration.

He and his wife, Marilyn, live in Cape Girardeau. Their two children, Keith and Angela, both graduated from Central High School.