A Brookhaven assistant principal will be among the top fourschool administrators in the state to be recognized by theMississippi Department of Education Friday at Central High Schoolin Jackson.

“I’ll be there. I’m glad to represent the district and proud tobe a part of it,” said Mamie Martin Elementary School AssistantPrincipal Robert McCreary. “Being recognized as one of the top fouradministrators in the state is such an honor.”

McCreary, though, was not named as the Mississippi Administratorof the Year. That honor was bestowed upon Charles M. Poer,principal of New Albany Elementary School, but McCreary wasselected as the Administrator of the Year for the ThirdCongressional District.

He was nominated for the award by a subcommittee of theBrookhaven School District Board of Trustees after consultationswith other administrators.

“It’s such an honor to be chosen by your peers,” McCreary said.”I have so much respect for my superiors in this district. We haveso much experience here.”

McCreary credits his success as an administrator to thatexperience and the knowledge he has gained from working with MamieMartin Principal Danita Hobbs, Brookhaven High School PrincipalSusan Chapman, Vocational-Technical Center director and former headfootball coach Don Coleman, and other district leaders.

“Most of the stuff I’ve learned as an administrator I’ve learnedfrom them,” McCreary said. “My style of leadership comes fromthem.”

McCreary, 38, has been with the district since he graduated fromcollege 12 years ago. He started with the district teaching U.S.History at the high school, where he was also the head soccer coachand an assistant football coach. He became assistant principal atMamie Martin six years ago.

“I see myself retiring here,” he said. “I love what I do here. Ilike the recognition (of the award), but I love my job.”

The assistant principal said he believes those who consideredhis nomination also took into account his community service.McCreary currently serves as president of the Lincoln County UnitedWay and vice president of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber ofCommerce. He is also a past president of the Lions Club.

“We try to get parents involved in our schools, but we also needto get our administrators involved in our communities,” hesaid.