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Open house held for Sweeney
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| Bob Sweeney hugs Kathy Knuth during an open house for him held on Sunday evening. Photo by Jennifer Nichols |
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By Jennifer Nichols
NT Staff Writer
ATLANTIC - Former Activities Director Bob Sweeney remembered one piece of advice his mother gave him when he decided to pursue a career in education. Sweeney spoke during an open house for he and his wife on Sunday evening, along with other school officials.
Sweeney decided to resign from his position in May after being in it for 13 years.
“In February of 1995, I applied for the position in Atlantic,” Sweeney said in his letter of resignation. “Little did I know that it would be the best job I would ever have. I loved teaching and coaching, before going into administration in the 1993-94 school year. But the Assistant Principal/Activities Director position allowed me to work closely with students in areas that I truly felt I could help ‘make a difference.’ Thanks for allowing me this great opportunity to work with a super student body, a wonderful staff and such a supportive community (this includes everyone - individuals, businesses, media, law enforcement, the list is endless). None of this would’ve happened without the support of board members like you and ones that came before you, ‘thank you’ for your great support during the 13 years.”
Sweeney said his mother told him if he got into education, “the straight A students are going to get straight A’s with or without you.” It’s the other students who are going to need your help, she said.
“For mom, looking down, I worked for those kids,” Sweeney said.
Atlantic High School Principal Roger Herring said many referred to he and Sweeney “as a team,” and it got to the point both knew what the other one was going to do or say. Herring said when Sweeney was interviewed for the job he gave a description of his personal philosophy, which had the acronym F.I.R.M. The F stood for being “firm” and “fair.” The I stood for “Investigating problems” and doing so with “Integrity.” The R was for “Responsibility,” and the M was for “Mature,” as in handling problems in a mature way. Herring had his own acronym to describe Sweeney, saying the F stands for “Friend to All,” the I stands for “Innovative,” the R stands for “Respect,” and the M stands for “Motivator.”
Atlantic Coach Don Jenkins recalled a time, about 10 years ago, when he told Sweeney he really wanted to go see his daughter play in a state volleyball game, but couldn’t because he had basketball practice. About 1 p.m. on that day, Sweeney came down to Jenkin’s office and told Jenkins he was going to go to that game, because the assistant coaches could cover for him for one practice. Otherwise, Sweeney said he’d just cancel practice. Jenkins wasn’t even sure on Sunday that Sweeney would have cancelled practice, but Sweeney confirmed he would have. Jenkins also said he felt like he “didn’t work for him. He worked with him.”
Atlantic Coach Gaylord Schelling said Sweeney “stood behind” all the teachers and coaches, and they did the same for him. And Schelling said Sweeney always put the students first.
Atlantic Teacher Steve Baier said he thought of four words when he thought of Sweeney including integrity, competent, motivated and lucky, adding that it was lucky for the Atlantic School District students and staff that Sweeney had been working there for the last 13 years.
Sweeney decided to resign from his position in May after being in it for 13 years.
“In February of 1995, I applied for the position in Atlantic,” Sweeney said in his letter of resignation. “Little did I know that it would be the best job I would ever have. I loved teaching and coaching, before going into administration in the 1993-94 school year. But the Assistant Principal/Activities Director position allowed me to work closely with students in areas that I truly felt I could help ‘make a difference.’ Thanks for allowing me this great opportunity to work with a super student body, a wonderful staff and such a supportive community (this includes everyone - individuals, businesses, media, law enforcement, the list is endless). None of this would’ve happened without the support of board members like you and ones that came before you, ‘thank you’ for your great support during the 13 years.”
Sweeney said his mother told him if he got into education, “the straight A students are going to get straight A’s with or without you.” It’s the other students who are going to need your help, she said.
“For mom, looking down, I worked for those kids,” Sweeney said.
Atlantic High School Principal Roger Herring said many referred to he and Sweeney “as a team,” and it got to the point both knew what the other one was going to do or say. Herring said when Sweeney was interviewed for the job he gave a description of his personal philosophy, which had the acronym F.I.R.M. The F stood for being “firm” and “fair.” The I stood for “Investigating problems” and doing so with “Integrity.” The R was for “Responsibility,” and the M was for “Mature,” as in handling problems in a mature way. Herring had his own acronym to describe Sweeney, saying the F stands for “Friend to All,” the I stands for “Innovative,” the R stands for “Respect,” and the M stands for “Motivator.”
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Atlantic Coach Gaylord Schelling said Sweeney “stood behind” all the teachers and coaches, and they did the same for him. And Schelling said Sweeney always put the students first.
Atlantic Teacher Steve Baier said he thought of four words when he thought of Sweeney including integrity, competent, motivated and lucky, adding that it was lucky for the Atlantic School District students and staff that Sweeney had been working there for the last 13 years.
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