Institute Day is the Tuscaloosa City Schools' pep rally for teachers on their first day back from the summer. Institute Day 2017 is at Paul W. Bryant High School beginning at 7:30 a.m.

It features morning refreshments, live music from TCS bands, cheerleaders from all of our high schools, a benefits fair, keynote speaker, and food trucks for after the celebration. 

TCS requests everyone arrive early because traffic will likely be heavy. Remember to bring cash if you would like to purchase lunch from one of the food trucks!

Robert Jackson is the author of The No More Excuses Curriculum, featuring the books, Black Men Stand Up!, The Workbook: A Boys Guide to Manhood, The Workbook: A Girls Guide to Womanhood, Solutions to Educating Black and Latino Males and Put a Stop to Bullying. He is a nationally renowned speaker, educator, consultant and owner of Lavelle Publishing and Robert Jackson Consulting.

Robert received his BS, Industrial Technology Degree from Western Kentucky University where he lettered four years in both football and track. After being cut from the NFL Minnesota Vikings, Robert began his teaching career in Indianapolis Public Schools. Wanting to make a bigger impact on education, he stepped out of the classroom and onto the road to conduct professional development workshops and keynotes nationally for educators, parents and students. He has remained deeply rooted in his commitment to serve his community as a mentor and leader, especially on issues facing African-American and Latino Students.

His workshop topics include Building Cultural Awareness and Effective Communication, Solutions and Strategies to Educating Black and Latino Males, Discipline and Accountability, Man Rules, Building Self-Esteem, Put a Stop to Bullying and Effective Parenting.

As a consultant and speaker, Mr. Jackson has created positive change in schools systems nationally, working to bridge the gap between parents, educators, administrators and students. He is an active Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., 100 Black Men and Bachelor Benedict Club. Robert has received numerous awards for his work, including the Bridge Building Award (September 2016) from Collaborate to Save our Sons for his leadership and mentorship toward youth and adults nationally, The Do Something Positive, Be Something Positive Award (November 2016) for his leadership in the community, Civil Rights Justice by Action Youth Award from National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE) (July 2015) for his tireless work with students nationally. He has also been awarded the Key to the City in Miami, Florida. His article, “Helping Black and Latino Males Succeed” was published by ASCD Magazine (September 2016).

Mr. Jackson is also a member of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).

Robert has presented keynote addresses, seminars and workshops across the US and Canada. School districts include Hawaii Dept. of Ed (Hilo, HI), Alief and Spring ISD (Houston, TX), Duncanville ISD (Dallas TX), Moreno Valley Unified School District (Moreno Valley, CA), Beaufort School District (Beaufort, SC). Colleges include Harvard Graduate School and Texas Southern University. National Conferences include, SDE, ASCD, NCEBC, NABSE, CAAASA and SAAB National Conference.

Robert is married to Tajuana “TJ” Butler-Jackson and they have 3 children.