Alabama PTA names Fowler as Superintendent of the Year
Dr. Dee Fowler, second from right, is congratulated as Alabama PTA Superintendent of the Year by national PTA representative Mary Pat King, from left, Alabama PTA President Larry Hooks and national PTA representative Charles Scott. (CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – Dr. Dee Fowler has been named Alabama PTA Superintendent of the Year.
Fowler was recognized at the Alabama PTA state convention at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel on April 20.
“Madison City Council of PTAs nominated Dr. Fowler, due to his continued support of the PTAs and his leadership that has placed Madison City Schools as one of the top in the state,” council president Sonja Griffith said.
In its correspondence, Madison City Council of PTAs praised Fowler for “dealing with several unpopular issues … in the best interests of the children of Madison.” They cited his supervising five rezonings, security upgrades after a student was shot and killed at Discovery Middle School, lobbying with Madison City Council for tax revenues and creating weekend food programs for needy children.
“Dr. Fowler works to ensure where a child goes to school does not predict the quality of their education or future,” the council said.
When Fowler received his award, the emcee read excerpts from a November 2011 issue of “The Madison Record.” “Teaching was in my DNA,” Fowler said in the “Madison Record” article. “I was born with chalk in my blood.” His mother, sister, grandfather and other relatives were teachers.
During his 38-year career in education, Fowler first taught and coached at Hazel Green High School. Then, he was assistant principal at Madison County and principal at Walnut Grove, West Madison elementary and Liberty middle schools.
With founding of Madison City Schools, Fowler worked as director of administration, operations and personnel; assistant superintendent; and superintendent since 2007.
A native of Tuscumbia, Fowler graduated from Deshler High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Lipscomb University, master’s degree from Vanderbilt University, education certification from Alabama A&M University and doctorate degree at the University of Alabama.
He and wife Marcia are members at Asbury United Methodist Church. Their son James graduated from University of Alabama and is working in the Baton Rouge area.
