A friendly face at RMA, Timmy Tucker makes every high school student feel welcomed at RMA. Through his job as the head of high school, Mr. Tucker helps students have a successful high school career. Mr. Tucker is often seen setting class schedules, working with students who have questions about college, and tutoring students in his favorite subject, math. Beginning at Rocky Mount Senior High 31 year ago, Mr. Tucker started his career as a math teacher and educator. After working at Senior High, he worked at various college and university levels before coming to work as the head of high school at RMA. Mr. Tucker always lends a helping hand during any event taking place at the school. During football games, he helps the coaching staff and players as well as show his RMA spirit on the sidelines. I have had the personal pleasure of getting to know Mr. Tucker through church and school, and I would like to personally say that he is one of the friendliest people I have ever met. Always checking in on students and taking the time to get to know each one, Mr. Tucker is one of the reasons why RMA is so special. With two sons at RMA, Stephen (11th) and Ben (10th), Mr. Tucker understands any questions that students might have which is one of the reasons why he is so easy to talk to. Whether it is going to the State Fair or going to the beach for a day, Mr. Tucker knows how to have fun and also the best foods to eat. When we went to the beach with his family and a few others from our church, Mr. Tucker took the lead planning out the day from start to finish centering on the best foods and restaurants at Carolina Beach and Wilmington. From donuts (the best I have ever had) to burritos and hot dogs, Mr. Tucker showed us the best places to grab food and have fun. I highly recommend that you get to know Mr. Tucker, and if you have any questions about high school or where to get good food, he’s your man!

To learn more about Mr. Tucker, please read the interview below!

1. Where/what did you teach before you came to RMA? I have taught math at Cary High School, Rocky Mount Senior High, NC State, NC Wesleyan, and Nash Community College. I was in administration at Nash CC and Northern Nash High School.

2. If you could watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why? The Godfather (Trilogy). At first, I liked these movies because of the La Cosa Nostra aspect. Later I became a fan because of the quality of the movie.

3. Describe a perfect day at the State Fair. Food, food, see a few things, and more food…leading to a nice food coma. I normally get a Turkey Leg, Apple Cider, Ice Cream, Corn on the Cob, Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger, Ribbon Fries, and other fried things like Fried Dough, Fried Oreos/Twinkies, etc. I love Fair Food.

5. What is your favorite thing to do outside of school? Being at the beach…. But…since we are in Rocky Mount, I would say projects around the house. These days, all of my activities revolve around family, church, and RMA.
6. What is your favorite quote and why? Can’t have just one…I like quotes because they usually summarize specific actions. So here’s a few – “All men die, but not all men really live,” “Watch your actions, they become your habits. Watch your habits, they become your character,” The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will,” “The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall,” “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
7. Why do you not like the Star Wars franchise? I have never been a big Trekkie or Star Wars person. (I do like the current movies though.) There was so much hype about Star Wars when it came out. Every high school band played the theme for football halftime shows, so it got old, fast! E.T. is a different story!

7. What is your favorite part of being at RMA? By far, it is the people – the students, colleagues, and families. We have a special thing here. Just like any family, there will be “those days.” But, most people really do care about one another. I constantly have teachers or students coming to me with concerns or what we can do to help someone. I love it when I see students rallying to help other students. We can never forget to do that. Our teachers and staff are professionals and experts at what they do. One’s high school days are special times. I want our kids to relish all of what they have here.

8. What is your favorite sport/sports team? NC State, of course

9. Describe a person who has made the biggest impact on your life. It always begins with mom and dad. If I had to pick someone other than them, it would be my grandmother. She taught me how to treat all people with dignity and respect – regardless of status, educational level, wealth, etc. I have had different people that have been mentors to me at different stages of my life – teachers, coaches, administrators, friends, etc. There are far too many to mention names, but I have been very, very fortunate.

10. Where did you go to college/ what major did you pursue? I applied to one college – NC State – to major in Math Education. I received the acceptance letter on my birthday. When I went there as a freshman I was one of 18 Math Education majors. When I graduated, I was one of 18. I was told I was the only one of the original 18. Not sure if that is true, but it’s a good story.

11. What sports did you play in high school? Baseball was my main thing.
12. Do you have any fun stories from the past? When you are a teacher there are millions. Just when you think you’ve heard it all, you get another. When filling out PSAT info, we had a student ask what school we attended and if Rocky Mount is one word or two. Back in the teaching days, we (teachers) always kept something going with students. One teacher told them that I had webbed toes and that is why I never wore flip-flops when teaching. We kept that one going so long that many believed it. One year, I had a teacher friend who “stole” my classroom Christmas tree. It showed up in my front yard on January 13th. So, when I caught a live mouse in my classroom a few days later, she had classroom visitor for several days.

13. Describe a perfect meal. Cheeseburgers, doughnuts, and ice cream

14. Please explain what you do to help out NC State. In the mid 80’s, when Coach Valvano and Coach Yow were coaching, I was a math tutor for the NC State Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams. It was fun because I got to tutor math and travel with the men’s team to different games/tournaments. Since I was “around,” I developed relationships with several coaches and players. A few years later, friend of mine started keeping team stats for Coach Robinson. He needed help and asked to me if I would be willing to come to the games. That eventually evolved into keeping the official stats for the men’s games and later the women’s games. We have a team of people that do this, so I am not at all of the home games like in the beginning. We also do the NCAA Regional Games when they are held in Raleigh. I guess we’ve been doing stats for about 27 years…first by hand and now by computer.