Dr. Adam Phyall: Access, Accountability & Action | Candidate Conversations — Episode 77
Use the audio-player above to listen here, or click one of the following links to listen on
Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or click on the photo below to watch on YouTube.
In this special edition of The Town Square Podcast, hosts Trey Bailey and Gabriel Stovall begin a new series designed to help voters better understand the individuals seeking to serve Newton County in public office. The goal is simple: create a space where candidates can share their stories, explain their priorities, and connect with the community in a meaningful way.
Dr. Adam Phyall, a longtime educator and former Director of Technology and Media Services for Newton County Schools, joins the show as the first guest in the Candidate Conversations series. Now running for the District 5 seat on the Newton County Board of Education, Dr. Phyall brings decades of classroom, district, and national education experience to the conversation.
But before discussing policy or campaign platforms, the conversation begins where it always does on The Town Square Podcast — with story.
From Tutoring Classmates to Teaching Students
Dr. Phyall didn’t originally set out to become a teacher.
While attending Tuskegee University, he began tutoring fellow students in math. What started as a simple act of helping others quickly revealed something deeper.
He discovered joy.
Not the kind of satisfaction that comes from personal achievement, but the fulfillment that comes from watching someone else succeed.
That moment changed everything.
Instead of pursuing occupational therapy, he shifted his focus to education — eventually earning a degree in general science education and beginning his teaching career in 2002.
That decision would shape the rest of his professional life.
Finding a Home in Newton County
After several years teaching in Clayton County, Dr. Phyall and his wife began searching for a place to raise their family.
They found it in Covington.
He described the community as a “Hallmark town” — the kind of place where families could grow roots, build relationships, and invest in the future.
In 2006, he joined the staff at Alcovy High School, where he taught biology, chemistry, and other science courses.
His favorite students?
Juniors.
Not because they were easier to teach, but because they were beginning to understand life.
That transitional moment — when students start thinking seriously about their future — became one of the most rewarding parts of his work.
The Moment Technology Changed Everything
One of the most powerful stories in the episode centers on a laptop.
While in college, Dr. Phyall received a scholarship from the United Negro College Fund. Along with financial support, the scholarship included something that would alter the trajectory of his career:
A computer.
At the time, his mother was battling breast cancer. That laptop allowed him to stay connected with her, research medical information, and communicate in ways that hadn’t previously been possible.
It wasn’t just technology.
It was connection.
That experience shaped his understanding of what technology could do — not as a replacement for teaching, but as a tool to make learning more meaningful and accessible.
Innovation in the Classroom
Years before podcasting became mainstream, Dr. Phyall was already experimenting with new ways to engage students.
In the early 2000s, he introduced podcasting into his classroom — encouraging students to create audio content explaining biology concepts.
The project quickly became a success.
One student discovered that listeners from Ireland had downloaded their podcast.
That single moment changed the way students saw themselves.
Their voices mattered.
Their work reached beyond the classroom.
And their learning suddenly felt real.
Leading the One-to-One Technology Initiative
As his career progressed, Dr. Phyall transitioned into district leadership roles, eventually becoming Director of Technology and Media Services for Newton County Schools.
One of his most significant contributions during that time was helping lead the district’s transition to a one-to-one technology model — providing every student with access to a digital device.
The decision wasn’t easy.
It required careful planning, financial discipline, and long-term vision.
But the result was transformative.
Students gained access to resources that had previously been limited to computer labs or libraries.
Teachers gained new tools for instruction.
And the district built a foundation for future innovation.
A National Perspective on Education
After years serving Newton County Schools, Dr. Phyall accepted a position with Future Ready Schools, part of the national education organization All4Ed.
In this role, he works with school systems across the country — helping districts improve technology integration, expand access to resources, and prepare students for the workforce of the future.
Despite working at the national level, he remains deeply connected to Newton County.
He still collaborates with district staff, shares best practices, and advocates for opportunities that benefit local students.
Why Run for the Board of Education?
For years, Dr. Phyall had considered serving on the Board of Education.
But it wasn’t until recently that the opportunity aligned with his sense of timing and purpose.
He described the decision as deeply personal — shaped in part by a cancer diagnosis that forced him to reevaluate his priorities.
Rather than waiting for the future, he chose to act.
In his words:
“We’re the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
His Platform: The Three A’s
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Phyall repeatedly returned to a simple framework that defines his campaign:
Access
Accountability
Action
These three principles guide his vision for the district.
Access
Ensuring every student has the resources and opportunities needed to succeed — regardless of background.
Accountability
Maintaining transparency in budgeting and decision-making.
Action
Identifying what works, eliminating what doesn’t, and continuously improving.
Supporting Teachers and Staff
One of the most consistent themes in the conversation was the importance of people.
Dr. Phyall emphasized that student success ultimately depends on the adults who serve them.
Teachers.
Bus drivers.
Custodians.
Support staff.
Creating a culture where employees feel valued and supported, he said, is essential for improving retention and performance.
Technology and the Future of Learning
The conversation also explored one of the most pressing questions facing education today:
How should schools balance technology use with traditional learning?
Dr. Phyall believes the answer lies in intentional use.
Technology should enhance learning — not replace it.
He stressed that devices are tools, not solutions.
Real progress comes from strong instruction, engaged teachers, and supportive communities.
Artificial Intelligence and Education
Artificial intelligence was another major topic.
Rather than viewing AI as a threat, Dr. Phyall sees it as an opportunity — provided students learn how to use it responsibly.
He encouraged families and educators to focus on critical thinking and curiosity.
Not just asking questions.
But asking better questions.
A Vision for Newton County Schools
Ultimately, Dr. Phyall’s vision is simple:
Make Newton County Schools the best place for students to learn and families to live.
He wants the district to become known for:
Strong academics
Career readiness
Supportive teachers
Safe learning environments
Community pride
And he believes that vision starts with collaboration.
Final Thoughts
This episode marks the beginning of the Candidate Conversations series — an effort to give voters direct access to the people seeking to serve their community.
Whether listeners agree or disagree with a candidate’s positions, the goal remains the same:
Create space for thoughtful dialogue.
Encourage informed decisions.
And strengthen the community through conversation.
Because at the end of the day, public service isn’t about politics.
It’s about people.
Episode Sponsors:
Relevant IT
Website: https://relevantsvcs.com
Appalachia Insurance Group
