Roosevelt Alexander :
11/2/2005
There have been several feature stories
lately in the local papers about
Roosevelt Alexander. I commend them for honoring
this fine gentleman.
I have known Mr. Alexander for many years. In
the early 1980’s I was a
substitute teacher in the Katy school district.
Substitutes figure out quickly
which schools have good leadership, and that
exhibited by Mr. Alexander when he
was the principal at Katy Junior High, was
exemplary. I would always take
assignments there. One got a good feeling just
walking in the door of the
school. Mr. Alexander was not a “sit behind his
desk attached to his chair”
kind of a man. He was out and about and usually
came by to check on things when
I was there. He had his finger on everything
that was going on in “his” school.
He also managed to get and keep outstanding
teachers, and they are still revered
by their former students. There were always good
things going on at Katy Junior
High, and the teachers reflected his spirit.
It was fitting that in 1998 an elementary school
was named in honor of Mr.
Alexander. The honor was long overdue, and I and
others on the School Board had
suggested that Katy Junior High be named for
him. That action was not to be,
but I would point out that it is not too late to
make the change. There have
been two schools at different levels named
“Katy” for many years. Why not have
two schools named “Alexander?”
Mr. Alexander left his profession much too early
in my opinion, and I’m only
guessing, but I believe that he, like others of
us, objected to the restructured
education movement that swept through our
schools in the early 1990‘s. I’m sure
his life-long experiences told him that
education, not training, was the key to
garnering success in life.
I see Mr. Alexander from time to time when I’m
out shopping or attending some
event. He is gracious, cordial, and always
delightful to see. He is a real
Katy treasure. We are fortunate that he has
graced us with his presence in our
schools.