Mr. Cousins. Although he just joined Legacy’s administration this year, everyone knows him. Students may know him for his megaphone, his “no soliciting” signs, his lunchtime announcements and even memes circulating on Twitter.
Before coming to Legacy, assistant Principal Mr. Leonard Cousins worked as an assistant principal for six years at Haltom High School in Birdville ISD. He instructed ROTC before then. He has also served in the military.
He tries to use his life experiences to help students get through their own. Raised in poverty by his grandmother, he lived in a situation of drugs, alcohol and dysfunctional families.
“It was very tough growing up,” Mr. Cousins said. “I give all the credit in the world to my grandmother for raising me. I can relate to a lot of kids. I just like to use my life experiences to show kids that they can make it.”
Mr. Cousins turned his life around and served in the military for 22 years. He jumped from airplanes at one point, and traveled to countries, such as Saudi Arabia, East Germany and Egypt, which allowed him to meet interesting people.
Mr. Cousins has enjoyed the atmosphere at his new post.
“We have some great students here at Legacy,” Mr. Cousins said. “I am impressed on every level.”
Memes made about Mr. Cousins escalated until students even created a Twitter account impersonating him. He feels they went overboard by creating it.
“I was concerned because there is a Texas law stating that impersonating someone online is a crime,” Mr. Cousins said. “I figured they were probably unaware of the law and could get in trouble. I was a little taken aback when I saw the Twitter account and what it represented.”
Mr. Cousins and the new administration team (four new assistant principals and a new principal) instituted changes to the rules at Legacy, like the no food and loitering policies.
“Rules like these create a safer and more secure environment where students can be monitored,” Mr. Cousins said.
With these rules, he plans to keep unforeseen things from happening to his students. He also believes the no food policy will help with Legacy’s bug issue.
“Not all students are irresponsible with their trash, but there are enough students not throwing away their trash to litter the school,” Mr. Cousins said. “Kids will be kids and accidents happen. It’s the same for any high school.”
He believes safety should be the number one consideration in a high school.
“Some students believe that I’m strict and too hard on them,” Mr. Cousins said. “They think that means I don’t care, which isn’t true at all.”
Mr. Cousins enjoys certain qualities that are integrated into Legacy’s overall environment, including the newer facilities and how iPads are used for education.
“It’s a breath of fresh air to be here at Legacy High School,” Mr. Cousins said. “I love kids and students. It’s a part of my life. I have no complaints. It’s a change of environment that I needed. Sometimes you need a change of perspective and something to re-energize you.”
Mr. Cousins works with an authoritative style of leadership and believes it’s necessary to motivate students to get to class on time.
“I think people misread me,” Mr. Cousins said. “They see me as an authoritarian figure. I’m not always authoritative. If you come to me with a problem, for example, I’m very sympathetic and empathetic.”
Facing the challenge, Mr. Cousins has to get used to the different learning styles of the students resulting from the different environment. He wants to help students reach their academic goals.
“The students come to me with a lot of problems,” Mr. Cousins said. “You deal with that and it’s frustrating and tough. I try to put myself in their mindset. I’m here to encourage and try to motivate them. When you’re 17, you believe that life is too hard. Then when you get to be my age, you’ll look back and see what came together to help you make it through.”
Mr. Cousins makes an effort to meet students one by one. He wants to get to know them by name for who they are and what their goals and aspirations are. He’s also active outside the regular school day.
“I am a people person, so meeting all of the new people here is in my element,” Mr. Cousins said. “I do a lot less discipline here, so it doesn’t consume my time like it did before. I am having so much fun at Legacy. I haven’t missed one football game yet. I really enjoy watching our kids.”
Mr. Cousins enjoys watching sports, especially when athletes from his own school are on the field.
“Now that football is doing so well, everyone is really focusing on it,” Mr. Cousins said. “Volleyball is in playoffs, so they get a lot of our attention as well.”
Although he believes other sports and organizations are doing well, football’s and volleyball’s success can put them at a disadvantage and even place them in the background.
“We have to do a better job of mixing it up, so we see everybody,” Mr. Cousins said.
Mr. Cousins doesn’t just think about sports, discipline and school safety. Education is his passion.
“I’ve seen education work. I know how it can change the lives of people,” Mr. Cousins said. “Students can be all that they want to be if they make the right decisions in life.”
