Many educators paved the way as DeKalb County leaders. Jesse Dixon was a key player in the history of African-American education in DeKalb County. He served as a teacher, principal, instructional supervisor of mathematics, and director of Title I Services. His versatility, academic skill, and ability to facilitate other professionals to excellence are influences still remembered in the system today. His quick wit coupled with ingenuity gave him many advantages in motivating people of different skill levels to do great things for children. Eugene Thompson was also a champion who history as the first assistant superintendent. He was able to encourage (and enable) outstanding educators to higher positions in the district. Earlier he impacted the sports and the physical education curriculum as the county’s athletic director. As a significant “mover” in the Minority-to-Majority Movement (M-to-M), he enabled many parents and children to access educational choices once denied

Excerpt from:

African American Education in DeKalb County (GA) (Black America)
by Narvie J. Harris Me.D. (Author), Dee Taylor Me.D. (Author)