Episode 21: Dr. Kechia Rowles – Director of Athletics – Rockdale County Schools, GA

EPISODE # 21 ...Dr. Kechia Rowles, Director of Athletics, Rockdale Co (GA) SchoolsToday’s guest is dr. Kechia Rowels. Dr. Rowels serves as the Director of Athletics for the Rockdale County School System in GA. A life-long learner from a coaching family Kechia is an advocate for student-athlete safety who has worn two hats as both an AD and an athletic trainer. Dr. Rowels has a passion for professional development at both the state and national levels and truly believes in the importance of sharing information and growing the profession together. Let settle in and get to know Dr. Kechia Rowels. 1:02- Introduction6:07- Rarity of Being AD & Athletic Trainer8:07- Using her AT skills at the National Ad Conference8:50- Student Athletic Aide Camp13:00- Her AD Pedigree, daughter of Johnny Seabrooks17:53- Professional Development through the LTI courses21:00- The Flag Football Initiative23:50- The Future of the AD role25:37- What should ADs talk more about?27:33- How to Prepare to be a HS AD30:11- What Currently Takes Most of Your Focus?34:06- Benefitting from Feedback37:25- Disparities Between Academic Achievement & Athletic Participation in High Schools43:00- 2 Minute Drill  You can follow Dr. Kechia Rowels on Twitter @RCPS_AD About Hangin With The AD Podcast….Hangin with the AD is an interview style podcast where Don Baker, Cobb County School District Director of Athletics, partners with Josh Mathews, Pope High School (GA) Athletic Director, to discuss hot topics and lessons learned with leaders in the world of athletics.  These leaders include high school athletic directors at the district and local school levels; college athletic administrators; leaders in spaces that connect to athletics such as nutrition, wellness, recruiting, student-athlete recognition; current and former athletes; and others, who can help athletic administrators develop themselves and their programs for a better daily experience for their athletic communities.          We hope you enjoy the time we spend with these special guests.  Please leave us a review or rating to help us know how you were benefited from this podcast or how we can improve it.  Thank you for listening.  And until next time, thank you for spending your time, Hangin with the AD.         Don Baker, CAA.... Director of Athletics for the Cobb County School District in Georgia. @CCSD_AD (twitter & instagram)Josh Mathews, CMAA...Athletics Director at Pope High School in Marietta, GA (East Cobb) @jwmathews14 (twitter & instagram)