For Brunswick County Schools Supt. Les Tubb, it’s always been about the kids.
Tubb will retire from the system for the second time today, October 31. After spending nearly 40 years with the district, and longer than that in education, Tubb says the children are what kept him going during the difficult times.
But despite holding a variety of teaching and administrative positions over the years, Tubb admits that his career in education happened almost by accident.
Educator by chance
“In my case, I think it was a calling,” he said. “I kind of stumbled into it. My Sunday school teacher was a high school principal in Parkton, North Carolina. I had come out of the Army, graduated from college and was kind of hanging around my dad’s business. My Sunday school teacher said, ‘Les, I’ve got a substitute job that I’d like for you to do.”
Initially, Tubb declined. But his teacher was persistent, noting that he had the right degree and an interest in the area.
“So, I went to Parkton High School with this principal, and I discovered that it was something I really enjoyed doing,” he said.
While Tubb had a degree, he wasn’t certified by the state to be a teacher. So, he enrolled in the teaching certification program at Fayetteville State University to earn the necessary credentials.
He started his teaching career in Cumberland County, first with eighth grade science before accepting a position at Seventy-First High School as a biology teacher.
After about six years, he made his way to Brunswick County.
“My dad had a place down here—a little trailer—and I loved being here,” he said. “So, in 1981, I moved to Brunswick County, and I’ve been here ever since.”
His first job with Brunswick County Schools was teaching science at Shallotte Middle School. After a while, Ed Lemon, who then worked as the district’s assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, hired him to be one of three coordinators tasked with helping implement a new curriculum. Tubb oversaw the science parts of it.
After about two years, he moved on to serve as assistant principal of South Brunswick High School under Mose Lewis. He later served as principal of Leland Middle School and South Brunswick Middle School.
Then Tubb, who had remained active with the National Guard, was called to active duty for a few years. When he returned, there were no principal vacancies, and he accepted a job as assistant principal at North Brunswick High School.
“So, I went to North as the assistant principal and became the principal,” he said.
After that, Tubb served as director of career and technical education and athletics. While serving as CTE director, he was named the North Carolina CTE Director of the Year. He said that was a proud moment.
“We had changed some of the course offerings and worked with the community college to improve pathways,” he said.
Leading the district
It was while he was CTE director that he got his first stint as being superintendent. The board fired then-superintendent Katie McGee and asked Tubb to step into the position as interim for six months. He retired the following year.
In November 2014, Tubb was called to serve the county as interim superintendent once again when the board severed ties with then-superintendent Ed Pruden.
While the post was only supposed to be for a few months, the board liked working with Tubb and asked him to accept the position permanently. He agreed.
Board chairman Charlie Miller believes that Tubb was the right choice and just what the county needed.
“Les came in at such time that it brought our board together—not that we were divided, because we weren’t—but he brought us together and made us even closer,” Miller said. “I think he’s done well.”
Miller, who has been on the school board for 12 years, says though he enjoys serving his community, there were times in previous years when he wanted “to throw in the towel.”
“It just seemed like one issue after another, after another,” he said. “But the last four years haven’t been that way. We’ve had our bumps in the road, but we’ve addressed them and moved on. Les just brought continuity and stabilization to the board that we needed.”
Miller says he’s known Tubb for many years, and while he hates to see him leave his post, it’s a well-earned retirement.
“It’s been a good four years, and I hate to see it end, but I don’t blame him at all. He deserves to rest, play golf and do whatever he wants to do.”
Kids are the key
Looking back on his time in education, Tubb says it has always been about helping children. He always enjoys hearing from his former students.
“I was at my doctor’s office today having my annual physical, and the nurse was doing an electrocardiogram. When she finished, I said, ‘Well, all that proves is that I have a heart.’ Her answer was, ‘No, you’ve got a big heart,’” Tubb said, his eyes filling with tears.
Throughout his career, he’s been tasked with making big decisions. Tubb said with every turn, he’s asked himself one question: “Is this best for the kids?”
“Kids are the most important thing in our society right now,” he said.
Tubb believes that adults need to nurture children to ensure they achieve their full potential. He admits that at times, being a superintendent can be stressful. But during those times, he returns to the classroom for motivation.
“On a day when the stress is really tough, and things seem to be going wrong, you get in the car, go to a school and walk through a classroom full of kids,” he said. “Then, you know why you’re there.”
In reflecting on nearly 50 years in education, Tubb says it’s difficult to pick out one single moment or experience as his favorite. But he does say that his favorite days each year are graduation day and the first day of school.
“What makes me the proudest is when you sit at graduation, and you know that you’ve had a hand in those kids’ lives from kindergarten until that point when they’re leaving our purview,” he said. “They’re leaving everything we’re doing to become members of our society, and if we’ve done a good job, they will be good members of our society.”
He says while graduation is “the best day of the year,” it’s closely followed by the first day of school.
“When you go out and see the kids on that first day, they’re ready to come back,” he said.
As he prepares to walk out of the central office to enjoy a retirement filled with golf and spending time with family, Tubb says he feels that he is leaving the district in a good place.
“I’m leaving them in good hands,” he said. “But it’s time. You can see when the time comes. You know, I’m one of only two or three superintendents since 1981 who have walked out and retired on my own. That’s an accomplishment in itself—not only in our system, but in any system.”
He says he wishes the best for Brunswick County Schools, and he’s grateful for all those who worked alongside him during his career.
“It’s been a team effort,” he said. “I’ve just been fortunate enough to lead some of those teams and to lead the big team.”
At one point during his long career, Tubb actually left education for a job in sales and management. But after about a year, he returned to the classroom.
“I thought that the grass was greener on the other side, and I found out that no, it wasn’t,” he said. “The money was better, but the fulfillment was not there.”
Even looking back now, he knows that returning to education was the right decision.
“If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing,” Tubb said, holding back tears.
