Building the leaders of tomorrow; Roderick R. Paige's lasting legacy in Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Former HISD Superintendent and the first Black Secretary of Education, Roderick R. Paige passed away at the end of last year, but his legacy is everlasting right here in Houston.

Buildings like Texas Southern University's Roderick R. Paige College of Education Building and HISD's Roderick R. Paige Elementary School are now building the future leaders of tomorrow.

"It was important for every child to get the best education. He would say education is the social and economic vitality of an individual," said Stephanie Nellons-Paige, Paige's widow.

This would become part of the legacy Rod Paige leaves behind.

After playing on the football field, his field got even bigger, starting at Texas Southern University.

"Tenacious because he really knew where he wanted to go. He worked with people in a manner and was a leader that led us to where we needed to be, and I think you see that throughout his career," said TSU education professor Dr. Lillian B. Poats.

That career then catapulted, such as when he served as TSU's Dean of the College of Education; the program he helped build is now named in his honor.

"It was a special moment for us because often buildings are named after people that you don't know. But in this case, it was like he was ours," Dr. Poats said.

For Dr. Lillian Poats, who was not only hired by Paige but also worked alongside him, she said he will never stop being theirs, for as long as his name is on the building and beyond.

"We had a center for pedagogy of urban learners. He had a real strong focus on urban education, and so you still see that within the college," Dr. Poats said.

Paige served as HISD's superintendent and later became the first former superintendent and first African American to become Secretary of Education under President George W. Bush.

Paige's widow, Stephanie Nellons-Paige, said this helped him put problems he noticed into policy.

"Neighborhoods that are not being educated and that in and of itself was a problem for Rod. When you talk about the zip code where you live, and you're not going to put the resources that are needed so that that child can learn, that was a big problem for him," Nellons-Paige said.

That gave birth to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

It's a law Paige helped design and was signed into law at the time by President George W. Bush. It ensured all students achieved learning proficiency.

"Really being able to put this national law in place. To now become policy that has to be put into practice - that was huge," said Nellons-Paige.

Nellons-Paige said he was also known for his literal boots on the ground.

"These are the boots that he actually had on when he's sitting in that office for that very important meeting," said Nellons-Paige.

As people continue to learn at places like TSU's education building and the Roderick R. Paige Elementary School in Houston, Nellons-Paige said his legacy will live on. She says she wants people to remember how Paige used his leadership to inspire the next generation.

"You can be a little black boy from Monticello, Mississippi, and you still have an opportunity to rise to this level," Nellons-Paige said. "You can accomplish anything you put your mind to, because this young man was born and rose to be the chief educator in this nation.

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