ORLANDO (FL) ALUMNI
COVER STORY ORLANDO (FL) ALUMNI - SENIOR KAPPA SPOTLIGHT
in the other two schools. I taught Physical Education along with three other teachers. The Principal called us together and told me that I would serve as the Department Chairman. That was a “challenge” because I had never had to become a leader of a department. We planned, set our department goals for our students and for four years our program ran like “clockwork.” The students excelled and the principal gave us excellent evaluations. Another exciting moment during my first year at Carver was the birth of our second daughter, Janet. OCPS had to begin the Integration Process and our team was split and sent to integrate other schools in Orange County. I was sent to Conway Junior High School to teach Science. I stayed there for six weeks. One day the Principal called me to the Office for a conference. He told me the Associate Superintendent wanted me to return to Carver as a Dean of Students to handle discipline. I was happy to return, but did not know how the students had changed from how they were six weeks ago when I left to how they were now. Here again I knew that I was faced with another “challenge” that of controlling discipline. This time I planned with the Administrative Team at the school strategies that we needed to try to correct the discipline and attitudes of students. After two years, I was promoted to serve as an Assistant Principal of Instruction. In that position, I learned and helped the students plan their class schedules, so they could succeed. Time passed, and my Principal, Dr. Clara Walters recommended me to the Orange County School Board to serve as Principal at Carver, because she was being promoted to serve as Principal at Jones High School. The recommendation was agreed upon and I was appointed as Carver’s Principal.
During my tenure as Principal, the OCPS Board decided to build gymnasiums at All Junior High Schools. Carver was one of those schools designated to have a gym built on their premises. I worked very closely keeping tabs on the construction process, making sure the students were kept on task educationally, keeping them safe and away from the construction of the gymnasium. After months of construction, the gym was completed to be used by the students, staff and parents for athletic games. Then the OCPS Office called me to the District Office for a conference. This time to tell me that I would be transferred to Westridge Junior High School to serve as Principal. This was a surprise to be going to another school, four years before I was planning to retire. That August, I went to Westridge as Principal. I planned with the Administrative Staff for the students and staff to have a good school year under my leadership. We worked hard to improve the discipline, educational achievement of the students and the morale of the teachers. After four years at Westridge, the staff gave me a very nice Retirement Celebration because we had established a compatible relationship! While at Westridge, the staff at Carver Junior High School always felt that we did not end our relationship in a celebratory manner. They applied to OCPS requesting that the work that I did as Physical Education Teacher, Football and Basketball Coach, Athletic Director, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, Principal and overseeing the construction of the Gymnasium had warranted recognition, so they wanted to have the Gymnasium named in my honor. OCPS granted their request to have the building named ERNEST BRADLEY, JR GYMNASIUM.
This was a surprise and an honor to me, a dedicated employee “just doing his job” serving the students and staff of Orange County Schools. I have had a life filled with educational challenges that I have met with competence, dedication and being reliable creating exciting worthwhile life changing experiences. I am motivated seeing my family, students, staff and personnel working together with goals in mind to gain their accomplishments. At South Carolina State College, I became affiliated with the men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. seeing the probates on the yard during pledging performances. They looked so organized and dressed very “smart!” I wanted to become a member when I was able. When I returned to Orlando, Florida I was invited to become a member which I accepted and was initiated into the Orlando Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in 1978. During my time of service in Orlando Alumni Chapter I have worked on the Scholarship Committee, the Picnic Committee, and the Black and White Ball Committee for several years. Giving Service to the community in many ways that the Chapter serves. We have fish fries for brotherly relations that are fun! I see the Alumni Chapter in the next ten years continuing to partner with the Pine Hills Community Center providing Lunch at Thanksgiving for Senior Citizens. Continue to work to provide Educational Scholarships for Senior graduates in the area Counties. Providing a program for our young men through our mentoring program Kappa Jr. League. Develop a program for boys The Future Working in Kappa
Publishing achievement for more than 100 years
THE JOURNAL SUMMER 2017 | 67
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