Ed Hall, ASCD's new President, is a calm, affable Alabaman who has brought sweet potato pies baked by his mother to share with ASCD's Executive Council. But under his genial demeanor is a passionate advocate for equity in education.
Hall's experiences as an educator in east central Alabama, in the foothills of the Appalachians, have fueled that passion. "I've spent some 30 years working in a semi-rural environment, where we have a high percentage of poor kids," he says, "so I have an affinity for children in poverty, whether they're urban or rural."
Hall knows firsthand what it's like to grow up in poverty. "The community where I was born and reared was called Needmore, and that name was pretty accurate—we needed more of everything," he says. Yet he was never told that he was poor, he recalls. "I was simply asked, What do you want to be when you grow up?' And I was never told that there were no resources for me to become that."
Hall was inspired by his cousin Mary, the first member of his family to earn a college degree. Mary became a teacher and later an administrator, and she assisted Hall's mother in getting a degree. "That in turn opened the door for me to go to college," he notes. Hall's mother—to whom he says he "owes everything"—was also a teacher and administrator. "I was brought up around educators," Hall says.
Hall has no regrets about choosing the teaching profession in his turn. "I think it's a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of other people. I fervently believe that that is the mission of each of us on this big blue marble," he says. "I can't think of any greater feeling than seeing the lights go on when kids comprehend what you're teaching."
The personal satisfaction Hall feels in helping others has been a constant throughout his career, as he has moved from the classroom to the district's central office to his current post at Talladega College.
Hall entered the profession as a teacher of English and social studies. (During his first seven years as a teacher, he worked with seven different administrators. "I had to learn to adapt quickly," he says.) After 10 years as a teacher in the Talladega County school system, he became supervisor of secondary instruction, then director of instruction, holding each post for about five years. In 1988 he became the district's assistant superintendent for instruction, curriculum, and staff development, a position he held until he retired on August 19th of last year.
On the following day, Hall assumed new responsibilities as the chair of the department of education at Talladega College, a small liberal arts college. The historically black college was established in 1868 by former slaves who wanted an education for their children.
Hall underscores the importance of preparing new teachers. "Certainly, there's a need for quality teachers and even more so for minority teachers," he points out. One challenge he faces is persuading minority students to choose the teaching profession. "We're finding here that minority students have so many more options available to them today that you don't see that many choosing to go into the field of education. So we have to do a selling job."
Longstanding Ties to ASCD
Hall's relationship with ASCD began in 1977, when he joined the Association. "When I became supervisor of secondary instruction," he recalls, "I said to myself, I'm supposed to be helping others, and I really don't know all that much. Where can I find some help for myself as well as others?'" A colleague recommended ASCD, and Hall has been a devoted member ever since. "The information, resources, programs, and conferences have all helped to mold my professional career and helped me to be successful," he says.
Hall has been very active in ASCD governance. He has served as president of the Alabama affiliate and on ASCD's Governance and Member Participation Panel, Strategic Planning Commission, Board of Directors, and Executive Council.
Why has he devoted so much time and energy to ASCD? "The real worth of ASCD as a professional organization is that it lives out its beliefs. It walks its talk," Hall says. "I don't think there's another education organization that can hold a candle to ASCD when it comes to practicing its belief system through its governance structure and its programs, products, and services."
As ASCD president, Hall looks forward to "being at the forefront of an organization that is on the cutting edge of teaching and learning." During his tenure as president, he intends to help ASCD pursue its official mission. "The focus of the president," he believes, "should be to make sure that the will of the Association—as expressed in its mission, goals, and strategic plan—is moving forward."
Hall has a special interest in the international aspect of ASCD. By reaching out to the international community, ASCD can expand its membership, he notes, but more important, the Association can find opportunities to learn. ASCD's efforts to become more international "reinforce my belief in ASCD's commitment to diversity, whether it be gender, age, race, or regional representation," he adds. "We are truly a diverse and international organization."
When he's not working (which is rare), Hall likes to read, jog, fish, and grow vegetables and flowers. His wife, Joyce, is a physical education teacher, and his 26-year-old son, Derrick, who is autistic, lives at home with his parents. Hall calls him "the joy of our lives."
Hall's concern for equity underlies his many contributions to ASCD and to his profession. "I'm passionate about providing a quality education for all boys and girls," he says. "I think public education is key to a quality life and the perpetuation of a democratic society, and to achieve that ideal we must educate all of our boys and girls to the best of their abilities."