ELIZABETHTOWN — Accountability. That is what is at the crux of Bladenboro Middle School’s Principal Wilbert Stokes’ ideaology.

Earlier this week, Stokes shared a bit of his philosophy.

“What I try to do is I try to encourage my staff to work with the whole child.”

He added he and his staff try to show the students they are accountable for what they learn. The teachers and staff are also held accountable, but Stokes said it is important for the children to know they, too, are accountable.

“We try to get the parents involved (in the child’s learning),” said Stokes.

Middle school is a time when children are trying to figure out who they are and begin to have self-esteem issues and other personal issues, according to Stokes. He said both he and his staff work hard to ensure the students stay in the classroom and stay focused on learning.

“We work together in teams and departments,” said Stokes of his staff. “We do a lot of school assistance. If a child has a problem, we will bring in the parents and, sometimes the child, depending on the nature of the problem, and whoever is appropriate . . . such as a school nurse.”

He is especially proud of the school’s Beta Club and its recent accomplishments at the state competition. Stokes said the students are noticing and they are responding. He credits Assistant Principal Cheryl White-Smith with the recent surge in interest in the Beta Club program and its successes on the state level. He added she injected a lot of excitement into the Beta Club membership.

“In the past, students would have thought it (Beta Club membership) was uncool,” said Stokes. “Now, because of how they performed at state, there is a lot of interest.”

Bladenboro Middle School also has developed a mentoring program and has folks from area churches and other organizations who come into the school and talk with the students. Stokes said the students can go and talk with the mentors about whatever problems they feel the need to discuss and why it is important they stay in the classroom.

“This has cut back on the number of referrals and gets students focused and let’s them know there are people interested in them,” said Stokes.

The school also made met all 19 goals for adequate yearly progress. 

“I’m very pleased,” said Stokes of the AYP results.

Stokes said it takes having both the parents and the students involved in order to maintain and increase the test scores. 

“Our goal is to help each child grow,” said Stokes. 

His goal is for each child to gain seven to ten points on the next set of end-of-grade tests.

When asked how he keeps his staff motivated, he replied, “First off Bladenboro is the place to be.”

Stokes added he will help his staff members to reach their goals and objectives.

“Whatever I can to help them, I will do. They know if they need any kind of staff development, I try to help them get that,” said Stokes.

Stokes is hard at work trying to get technology for his teachers. He also is encouraging his teachers to utilize technology when they can.

He is a native of Franklin County and a graduate of Louisburg High School. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science and history from Fayetteville State University. Stokes earned his teaching certification from Kansas State University. He did his student teaching while on active duty in the Army.

He earned his master’s of education degree from Campbell University in 1995 and received his principal’s credentials in 1996 from Fayetteville State University.

“Three months after receiving my certification I was hired as assistant principal in Bladen county,” said Stokes.

He has also taught in Sampson County and at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

“My goal is to lead Bladenboro Middle successfully as AYP scores and keeping the stakeholders involved,” said Stokes.