Written by Ben Cox – With a new school year not only knocking on the door, but begging to come in, lets take a look at what back to school looks like from a unique perspective. In this series of articles, we will visit with each of Brownwood ISD’s principals to see what they think about returning to school for a new term.
Turning now to the beginning of the teenage years and Brownwood Middle School, we talk to principal Richard Sweaney. Sweaney is entering his second year as principal for BMS, and is excited to see returning and new faces.
An assistant at Taylor Middle school before coming to Brownwood in 2016, Taylor is entering his 18th year in education. Sweaney was a football and baseball coach as well as English teacher before entering administration.
The son of a retired Texas Ranger (law enforcement, not baseball) Sweaney lived all over the state as a child, and ended his high school career in Forney after his dad was transferred yet again. Playing ball for Bill Maxfield would eventually change his life, and steer his career choice.
Maxfield, who is cousins with Kyle Maxfield, arranged for a round of interviews for Sweaney without telling him. After meeting with several schools, Sweaney used a unique method for choosing his 1st position. “I pulled my map out in my truck and said ‘I’ve never been to Victoria’, so that was how I chose my first coaching job!”
Sweaney says the position of principal is a rewarding one, and has been glad he has chosen it as his profession. “I enjoy it a lot, the parents, teachers and kids, I really love it.”
This year has some new things offered that Sweaney says reflect jobs in the real world. “We’ve added some new things, and that is what I am excited about. There are your core subjects, which you have to take and are extremely important, but I think you can supplement them with classes that the students want to take.”
“There are a lot of jobs these kids are training for that aren’t even created yet! We’ve added Audio Visual, we are really pushing the digital media. Kids do the announcements in front of a green screen and do the commentary and interviews.”
“We have also added robotics this year, which is something I really wanted to do this year. Melody Smith is heading that up for us.” A club in it’s original design, through STEM grants the school was able to start with two seventh and 2 eighth grade classes. Smith will also offer an Computer Apps class, which can result in kids being certified through MicroSoft specialist certification after taking the advanced class.
Sweaney is thinking about all possibilities for his students futures, whether that involves higher education or not. “We are trying to show kids what’s out there and what’s expected of you once you’re out there. If you don’t go to college, you need to know how to make yourself the best candidate in order to get that job.”
Tech skills, PITSCO classes, a new theater program for the middle school, and several other new programs are all prepared to kickoff when school starts on Wednesday, and Sweaney is ready and waiting for the kids to show up. “I can’t wait to see them, I love all the shining, smiling faces!”
School starts at this Wednesday at 8:10 a.m. and lets out at 3:40 p.m. daily, pick up and drop off areas can be found on the school website.
