Robertson named new principal of Herod Elementary in Abbeville

Sometimes the best path through life is the one that you never exactly planned to travel.
Lysonia Robertson has found such a path, one that has brought the long-time Vermilion Parish educator to her new job as principal at Herod Elementary School in Abbeville.
“I am excited about it,” Robertson said with a huge smile. “It is going to be a big challenge and I am ready for it.”
Robertson took over her new role at Herod when school resumed from Christmas break on Jan. 4. She takes over for former principal Errin Landry, who moved out of state.
Robertson spent the previous three and a half years at J.H. Williams Middle, where she served as dean of students and as an assistant principal. Before that, Robertson spent more than 15 years in the classroom, one year at Abbeville High before settling in nicely as a 5th-grade teacher at Seventh Ward Elementary.
The transfer to her new position did not come as a no-brainer.
“I was a little bit apprehensive at first,” Robertson said of taking over at Herod. “The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I have the experience in elementary because I taught it for so long.
“It’s like coming home.”
Growing up, home for Robertson was her native Albany, La., in Livingston Parish. She left to attend Grambling State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. It was her time at Grambling when Robertson made her connection to Abbeville.
“At Grambling I met a lot of people,” Robertson said. “One of them was my roommate Christine Collins, who is from Abbeville. I would come home with her to Abbeville sometimes on holidays.”
When Robertson graduated, she put in an application with the Vermilion Parish School Board.
“I liked the area,” Robertson said. “I got the job and have been here ever since.”
Robertson has kept in touch with her former roommate, now Christine Joiner, a teacher at Eaton Park Elementary in Abbeville.
“We talk all the time,” Robertson said.
Robertson has the goal to bring Herod to new heights. She knows it will take time.
“I want to be a part of a school that is achieving at high levels,” Robertson said. “I know the challenges that present themselves here, but my goal is to push forward in a positive direction.
“Hopefully that is what we will be able to do in time.”
As for the implementation of her plan to meet that goal, Robertson said because she is taking over in the middle of the school year, she will allow time to be on her side.
“I was worried at first about it being only half a year to start,” Robertson said. “That’s really a positive for me because it gives me an opportunity to observe what has already taken place and understand what is going on. I don’t feel like I have to make any major changes.
“When we start fresh in the fall, I can make some smart decisions about the things we want to do and how we are going to move forward.”
Vermilion Parish Superintendent Jerome Puyau said he is confident Robertson is the right person to make those decisions.
“Lysonia Robertson comes to the principal position at Herod Elementary with a background of varied experiences that have fully prepared her to successfully lead this school to new heights,” Puyau said. “As a teacher in the Vermilion Parish School System, she spent several years in the special education classroom before serving as an elementary teacher at Seventh Ward Elementary for sixteen years. Ms. Robertson was then elevated to the role of assistant principal of J.H. Williams Middle School in July of 2013. There, she was part of a dynamic leadership team that transformed the culture at the school and facilitated student academic growth like never before.
“The knowledge that she has gained from each of these experiences will serve her well in her new assignment as an elementary school principal.”
Now that she is in the position, Robertson said she plans to keep it for a while.
“I had a meeting with a parent a couple of days ago,” Robertson said. “I told them, by the numbers, I can retire in 13 years. I would like those 13 to be right here. Being here three years and then moving on does nothing for the school.
“I want to be here for the years it takes to see this school move to where it needs to be.”
She may not be where she ultimately planned, even when this school year started, but Robertson is certainly not going to argue with who put her on the path that brought her to Herod.
“It’s almost divine,” Robertson said, as emotions brought a few tears to her eyes. “I have always felt like my steps have been ordered. I have been moved here and it is not because of my own particular doing.
“It’s my faith in knowing God has placed me where he needs me.”