If you’ve been around SCA since the mid 1990s, there’s a good chance you know James Byrd. You may know him from his years as a student then, or you know him now as a leader in academics and athletics. A 12-year student at SCA, Mr. Byrd graduated from SCA in 2006 and left Albany for the University of Mobile in Mobile, Alabama. After double majoring and graduating, he returned to Sherwood Christian Academy in 2011—but, this time, to lead from the front of the classroom. Many of his former teachers became his co-workers. In 2022, Mr. Byrd moved into the role of Guidance Counselor after 10 years of teaching high school history, where he can continue to impact the lives of juniors and seniors, as they make some of the most important decisions of their lives.
EDUCATION:
BA in Political Science and BA in History from the University of Mobile
Master’s in Secondary Education from Georgia Southern University
YEARS LEADING IN EDUCATION:
I have been serving here at SCA for 11 years – 10 of those years in the classroom.
CAREER AWARDS:
Two time STAR Teacher – 2021 and 2022
Two time GAPPS Coach of the Year – Track and Field – 2018 and 2022
Coach of Six State Championships at SCA:
• 1 in Football (2015)
• 2 in Track and Field (2018 & 2022)
• 2 in Chess (2019 & 2021)
• 1 in Cross Country (2018)
FAVORITE THING ABOUT GUIDING SENIORS IN THEIR NEXT SEASON AFTER GRADUATION: I enjoy breaking down the process of what comes next after high school for seniors into small and much less stressful pieces. It can be easy to be overwhelmed as a senior when they begin to look at all that lies before them. I encourage our seniors to continue to move forward in God’s will – they don’t have to have all the answers yet, they just need to be willing to say, “Yes!” to what God will call them to as they continue to be faithful to Him.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN SWGA: My wife’s cooking! Was that the right answer? But public restaurants? Longhorns for a good steak or Los Vaqueros.
FAVORITE BOOKS: Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian and Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien are both very special to me. Although growing up, I read every single Hardy Boys book! I’m now looking forward to reading them with my son, Joshua one day.
FAVORITE MOMENT AS A STUDENT AT SCA: There are many special moments from my years here as a student, almost impossible to narrow down to just one! From four years of high school musical theater with Mrs. Terri Catt; running track and field and cross country in many Region and State Meets; being elected as the Student Council President and giving the morning announcements over the intercom each morning (I had a joke of the day that very few people would laugh at)… I obviously loved my time here because I came back!
It’s safe to say that Mr. James Byrd is woven into the history and future of Sherwood Christian Academy.