Tom Tarrant, a middle school EC teacher at Columbus Charter School, became one of many local heroes during Hurricane Florence. Pedaling back and forth on his bicycle, Tom delivered medical supplies to neighbors who were stranded by high water. He also volunteered with The Red Cross during and after the storm.
“This was my first hurricane, and it was a powerful experience. I stayed in town for the storm and helped my neighbors as I could,” stated Tom. He continued, “I picked up people’s prescriptions on my bike – mainly for those that were older and had no cars. I also picked up diapers and other small items for those with babies. The last thing I did was load MRE’S on my bike trailer that were given out by the national Guard at Cape Fear Community College.”
Tom moved to Wilmington from Chicago in July 2018 and quickly joined Columbus Charter School as a middle school EC teacher. Teaching and helping others have always been a passion of his. “I love teaching and helping young minds reach their full potential. It gives me the opportunity to help the community and build a better future,” elaborated Tom. Speaking on his new position at Columbus Charter School, he commented, “When I moved to North Carolina and researched jobs, I was immediately drawn to Columbus Charter School due to its traditional education based on mastery of skills and the life and moral skills taught. The teachers and leadership are amazing. I’m blessed to be here!”
Tom says his civic duty and moral character stem from his family. He explains, “My grandparents instilled the value of helping others in me. They taught me values and citizenship. My grandmother turns 100 next May and she is sharp as ever. She has well over 150 grandkids, and they all are helpful. It’s expected. I see that same expectation from the leadership at Columbus Charter School. They have that expectation from staff and want it instilled in their students. I’ve found my home.”
Located in Whiteville, Columbus Charter School is one of a family of tuition-free charter schools managed by The Roger Bacon Academy. Columbus Charter School is in its thirteenth year as a school of choice, having a program of classical education for kindergarten through 8th grade. As a parent in North Carolina, you have the freedom to choose – tuition free – where your children are educated. Consider Columbus Charter School – a caring charter school that draws nearly 700 students from Columbus, Bladen, and Robeson Counties.
The Roger Bacon Academy was founded in 1999 by education pioneer Baker Mitchell to manage schools by providing a classical curriculum with traditional values. The North Carolina schools include Charter Day School in Leland, Douglass Academy in Wilmington, South Brunswick Charter School in Southport, and Columbus Charter School in Whiteville with a combined enrollment of over 2,100 students in K-8. Each school is a tuition-free charter school that welcomes all students, regardless of income, ability, or address. To learn more or enroll online, please visit EnrollRBA.com.
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