Carroll County Schools has named Dr. Robin Stephenson as its new superintendent, bringing a familiar face with deep roots in the community into the district’s top leadership role.
A Carroll County native, Stephenson has spent her entire educational career serving the students, families and staff of Carroll County Schools. She has taught at three of the district’s four schools and has served in several leadership roles, giving her an understanding of the district that comes from years of working directly with its students, staff and families.
Her path into education, however, was not necessarily the one she expected.
Stephenson initially thought she would work in the family business, Earl Floyd Ford. She soon discovered that her passion was in the classroom.
She joined the Cartmell Elementary family in 2004. Those early years teaching fourth grade helped Stephenson discover that teaching was about more than what happened inside the classroom.
After stepping away from education to be a mom to her two sons, Stephenson returned to Carroll County Schools in 2014 as an art teacher at Cartmell before serving as assistant principal at Kathryn Winn Primary in 2018. Her time there expanded her understanding of what it means to lead a school and reinforced the importance she places on relationships.
“That’s where I really learned to not just connect with families and students, but develop positive working relationships with staff members,” she said. “I really embraced visibility and wanting to always be an approachable person.”
Her next chapter brought her to Carroll County Middle School, where she served as principal for four years. She stepped into the middle school leadership role at a challenging time as the school worked to improve state assessment results.
The challenge did not deter her. In fact, it was part of what drew her to the position.
“I love challenges,” Stephenson said.
She also saw the opportunity as a way to give back to the community that had given her so much.
Stephenson said. “I thought, I know this is going to be a challenge and it will require a lot of time and dedication, but I wanted to give back to my community, so I took the plunge.
That desire to give back has remained a consistent part of Stephenson’s career. As she moved from the classroom into school and district leadership, her focus remained on creating schools where students feel supported and cared for, and a place where all staff members are recognized and feel valued.
Most recently, Stephenson served as Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer. In that role, she worked closely with Interim Superintendent Dr. Ron Livingood while gaining additional experience in district-level leadership.
Her career has taken her through classrooms, offices and school hallways across Carroll County, but the community itself has remained a constant.
“I take great pride in our community and kids,” Stephenson said. “Our students have so much to offer, and I want them to know the potential they have.”
Now, Stephenson will continue serving the community where she grew up, alongside many of the students, educators and families she has known throughout her career. As superintendent, she hopes to build on the work already underway while continuing to support the people who make Carroll County Schools a place she is proud to call home.