Who am I?
Hello, my name is J.B. Heslip and I’m the Director of Facilities for Buckingham County Public Schools. I absolutely love public education and I have taught for over 28 years on multiple levels. I have worked as a teacher, coach, special education teacher, home bound instructor, reading coach, assistant principal and principal and director of facilities. Over the years, I have done my best to treat students, parents and colleagues well. This is what I believe:
“What I Believe” :
I was raised by my mother and grandmother and I fought through many adversities as a young person. I relate to my students on many different levels. I had a lot of challenges in high school both academic and personal. However, I made it through high school successfully and went on to play college football at Concord College West Virginia. This is the place where my mind expanded to all the possibilities of life. I truly believe I can became a lifelong learner in Athens West Virginia. After injuries force me to give up the game of football, I moved back to Virginia and finished both my undergraduate and graduate degree at Radford University. After college, I began to work for Buckingham County school system here in Central Virginia.
I begin to formulate what makes a quality teacher or administrator. It was a tough question that had many facets. However, I boiled it down to these main ideas:
The bottom line is that it takes a special someone to be a teacher. administrator or Director. It takes someone who has a heart for children and that is real with them. These things cannot be manufactured or forced. However, they can be taught to a willing subject. With the help of a good mentor, and I have had many, one can hone themselves into an instrument that can be used for positive change in those they are around.
“What I Believe” :
- I believe in being completely honest and impeccable with my word.
- I believe in looking for the truth in what people say to me. However, not taking it personally if it is said in a hurtful way.
- I believe in asking clarifying questions and not being afraid to say “I don’t know the answer to that….yet.”
- Lastly, I believe in always doing my best at any task that I am given. I have learned that life is very short and I am determined to live each day to the fullest.
I was raised by my mother and grandmother and I fought through many adversities as a young person. I relate to my students on many different levels. I had a lot of challenges in high school both academic and personal. However, I made it through high school successfully and went on to play college football at Concord College West Virginia. This is the place where my mind expanded to all the possibilities of life. I truly believe I can became a lifelong learner in Athens West Virginia. After injuries force me to give up the game of football, I moved back to Virginia and finished both my undergraduate and graduate degree at Radford University. After college, I began to work for Buckingham County school system here in Central Virginia.
I begin to formulate what makes a quality teacher or administrator. It was a tough question that had many facets. However, I boiled it down to these main ideas:
- Positive day-to-day interactions with colleges that are respectful and honest.
- Someone who is not concerned with who is looking; but, is going to treat everyone fairly and with respect.
- Someone who treats other teachers and staff well.
- Someone who communicates with and treats parents with respect.
- A person that represents the school with honor out in the community.
- And above all, someone who loves and respects the students.
The bottom line is that it takes a special someone to be a teacher. administrator or Director. It takes someone who has a heart for children and that is real with them. These things cannot be manufactured or forced. However, they can be taught to a willing subject. With the help of a good mentor, and I have had many, one can hone themselves into an instrument that can be used for positive change in those they are around.