My Mission:
I’m running for the CMS School Board to be a bold advocate for the well-being of our students, educators, and CMS schools. With over 20 years of experience in K–12 education, higher education, and behavioral health, I bring compassion, knowledge, and a strategic mindset to the fight for educational equity. I currently serve as a CMS EC teacher, EC Compliance Facilitator, and behavioral health consultant.
I’ve witnessed firsthand how underfunded classrooms, overwhelmed educators, and underserved families, especially those supporting children with learning or emotional challenges, struggle to receive the support they need. As an educator and behavioral health advocate, a deep commitment to practical solutions that yield results drives my work. Every encounter with students, fellow educators, and parents reinforces one truth: our students deserve more support. I believe working with parents, stakeholders, and the community is key to overcoming the challenges that threaten our students’ future.
So let’s plan together for educational and economic change. Let’s build a CMS where every child thrives, starting now!
Have a question? Please feel free to leave a message in the contact section of this website. Click the button below.
Let me introduce myself:
From the Classroom
Hello District 4,
Thank you for taking the time to learn something about me.
I am Dr. Robert L. Edwards; to those who are familiar with me, I’m Robert. I was born and raised in the small town of Emporia, Virginia, where my journey began. My values are grounded in faith, family, close friends, and a deep compassion for others. I’ve always found purpose in encouraging those around me, standing up for what’s right, and advocating for the best interests of others.
From humble beginnings to community and higher education leadership, my journey reflects a lifelong commitment to growth and service. At the age of 22, the call to serve began in the K-12 classroom, teaching music and mentoring at-risk youth, and at a mental health facility in Norfolk, VA, by 2005. That passion expanded into higher education in Raleigh, NC, with faculty roles and as the NAACP advisor to students at Shaw and St. Augustine Universities. I also established a performing arts program at a private Christian school while in Raleigh, NC. In 2010, Charlotte became the Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Johnson C. Smith University. While at JCSU, I also served on various committees, advised student organizations, and established a community outreach program called Community Arts Connect. I established the Community Arts Connect with the intention of providing a space for my students to engage with the community.
While in Charlotte, I have had the honor of working with numerous politicians, their campaigns, corporations, and community leaders. These experiences allowed me to learn a lot about Charlotte, its rich history, and the CMS school system.
In 2020, the pandemic’s challenges led me to reflect deeply and reconnect with my passion for behavioral health. I began working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, complex needs, and other mental health challenges. As a behavioral health leader, I’m tasked with helping clients develop skills for independent living while overseeing their clinical treatment plan. In 2023, I joined the CMS residency program, focusing on special education for children with special needs. Today, I proudly serve as an EC teacher and Compliance Facilitator at Cochrane Collegiate Academy, where I advocate for equity, accessible resources, and student wellness daily. I’ve dedicated my career to supporting students, empowering educators, and partnering with families.
This open letter is more than just sharing my past work experiences; it’s a record of proven results, resilience, and a deep readiness to lead for District 4. For years, I’ve supported others behind the scenes, providing support with their leadership and advocacy journeys. Now, it’s my time to step forward to lead, serve, and help shape a stronger future for District 4. I can assure you that, if I’m your first choice, I’ll fight every day with my determined drive to advocate for the students and schools in District 4. Together, we will work as a community to protect and ensure the best decisions are made for our students.
I look forward to meeting you in person in the community. Please feel free to reach out to me on social media, by phone, or via email.
Best Regards,
To My Career
Additional Achievements & Expertise:
Dr. Robert L. Edwards brings over two decades of leadership across education, behavioral health, and organizational development. He has taught at all levels, from K–5 classrooms to higher education at Shaw University, St. Augustine’s, and Johnson C. Smith University, where he served as Director of Fine Arts and Professor of Music.
In the behavioral health sector, Dr. Edwards not only supports individuals with behavioral and mental health challenges but is also proficient in Lean Six Sigma project management methodology. He is a quality improvement specialist who has successfully led organizations through Joint Commission surveys, state audits, policy development, and modernization of IT systems to reduce overhead, as well as increased service delivery outcomes.
As a consultant, Dr. Edwards also offers his expertise in business proposal development and organizational coaching. He also brings creative energy through experience in film and music production, helping small businesses grow with purpose and impact.