Alexander Junior High School Principal Roderick Henderson will soon be taking his  18 years of knowledge and expertise  to Brookhaven School District’s central office.

Henderson was named the new deputy superintendent for the district last Friday at a special-called meeting.

Henderson graduated from Grambling State University where he played football for the school and majored in criminal justice.

Henderson said he wanted to stay in a field that was dear to him after graduation, so he spent one year coaching and teaching at Bastrop High School in Bastrop, Louisiana. In 1996 he moved back to Brookhaven, his hometown, to teach for four years. He then moved to coach and teach in Desoto, Texas, before moving back to Brookhaven in 2002 and has lived and taught here ever since.

“Education allows me to touch and help individuals on a larger level than my degree can offer,” Henderson said. He said it’s a way to have the biggest impact in a shorter amount of time.

The 2014-2015 school year is Henderson’s seventh year at Alexander Junior High School and he hopes to bring the programs they have implemented there to the Brookhaven School District.

The youngest age group Henderson has taught has been seventh grade, and he said he prefers working with older children.

“A lot of people shy away from seventh and eighth grade age students,” Henderson said. “I like that challenge; to guide them through the pitfalls.”

Henderson will finish out the rest of the 2014-2015 school year as Alexander’s principal but looks forward to meeting with Superintendent Ben Cox to discuss plans for the upcoming school year.

“I look forward to being able to serve in this role, to work beside Dr. Cox and guide the Brookhaven School District to new heights,” Henderson said. “I’m excited and ready to get started. I believe I’m built for this.”