Yolander Pittman
I am so excited to have become a part of the Hazelwood Family. I am Yolander Pittman, native of Altheimer, AR. I am always asked to explain exactly where that town is located and how to pronounce it. Well, I will give you a description of my childhood neighborhood. I grew up in an area where a cotton field was on one side of the house and weeds on the other; a train track was in front of my house; a pig farm was across the tracks and also behind the chicken farm which was my backyard. The mail lady delivered the mail from her car where she sat in the passenger’s seat while driving. My house had a screened in porch with running water from the pump that was outside under the plum tree. I ran five miles every day during off season of basketball. My basketball career included triple doubles in most games and I was MVP each year from 8th grade to 12th grade.
After finishing high school with no funding for college I treaded down the dirt road every morning to catch a ride to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
I tell this story to give all students and parents an understanding of how my past has influenced me to work diligently to convince students of their potential to be successful regardless of their limitations and background.
I have been in education since 1988 after graduating from University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. I have received Master’s degrees from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and St. Louis University. I am currently attending Lindenwood University with graduation pending for December, 2012 with a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership.
I started my educational career as a Chemisty teacher and have been lead teacher in an alternative school as well as assistant principal and principal at both middle and high schools.
My philosophy of education has changed in the past few years from “All students CAN learn” to “All students WILL learn.” Hazelwood Central Middle School will create, design, implement and modify processes and procedures that will ensure learning for all students.