Shawn Robson, a 1999 Hartland High School graduate, was honored in Lansing last week as one of the five finalists for the 2018 Michigan Charter School Administrator of the Year award – the top award in the state for a charter school principal.
Robson is the principal at Global Heights Academy in Dearborn Heights, and he was honored for the amazing job he’s done turning around the culture and performance of the school.
After working as a teacher and assistant principal at Central Academy in Ann Arbor, Robson was named the principal at Global Heights Academy five years ago.
The school was suffering through some tough times academically and was on the verge of being shut down when Robson took over, but officials say he’s done a miraculous job of turning the school around.
Reading and math scores at Global Heights were near the bottom five years ago, but they’re now six points higher than neighboring schools – and improving all the time.
For his accomplishments, Robson was named as one of the five finalists for the Michigan Charter School Administrator of the Year award. The winner will be announced during National Charter Schools Week, May 6-12.
In a ceremony at the State Capitol on April 25, Robson was recognized by Dan Quisenberry, president of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA), the state charter school association.
“Shawn accomplished this by changing the culture and expectations at the school, by making his staff feel valued and empowered, and most importantly, by making the students feel loved and cared for,” Quisenberry said.
“To help his students realize their own potential, Shawn started a Student Council and Safety Patrol at the school, putting the students in positions of leadership. He gave them a sense of pride and ownership of their future that they had never felt before. Global Heights Academy serves one of the most challenging school populations in the state, and many of his students live in extreme poverty and have to overcome very difficult and challenging situations. Each of those students has found a home at Global Heights Academy. Thanks to Shawn’s exceptional leadership and the talented staff at this school, they’re on the pathway to a brighter future.”
Robson, a Hartland native, still lives in the community with his wife, Kendra, and their family.
For a closer look at Robson in action at Global Heights Academy, check out the video of him on MAPSA’s Facebook page here.
