Commandant’s Page
Today I am addressing the incident that occurred mid-day on January 24th at our 29th street campus. The unprovoked attack upon our defenseless administrator, Mr. John Hayden, was horrifying and incomprehensible. Mr. Hayden is a 59 year-old gentleman with a heart condition and diabetes. After the attack he spent three days in St. John’s Hospital undergoing tests and observations and, at the very least, suffered a severe concussion. He continues to suffer from blurred vision.
APA will continue to stand against bullying, harassment, and disrespect whether it be from a student or an outside source. We will continue to take disciplinary action against students who exhibit such behavior and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law other sources who violate the environment of our campuses.
With respect to the students and families who value and believe in APA and the ethical and moral values we strive to bring forth, I will continue to do all within my power to stand against anyone who believes bullying, harassing or acts of disrespect are a means to an end. I will not hesitate to examine any area of our school programs, including athletics, that might interfere with providing first and foremost a quality academic environment that is safe, structured and disciplined.
Our current society dictates that there are no guarantees as to complete safety. Even a college campus is not immune to acts of violence. It was assuring to know that as the event unfolded on January 24th our staff took immediate action in calling 911, locking the school down, and, after the suspect was secured our school resumed the normal school day with order. This is a compliment to our staff and our students.
APA will always cherish our quality students and parents, and will take every means to maintain the highest standards of safety, discipline and integrity.
Robert Guillaume
Anderson Preparatory Academy
January 30, 2012
About the Commandant
Robert L. Guillaume (pronounced ghee-OHM) is an educator with over 35 years professional experience in public education. He is married and the father of three children. He founded the Anderson Preparatory Academy with his colleague Lt. Col. John Riley (ret.). Mr. Guillaume heads the school as its Commandant. The school opened in August 2008 to 240 Cadets in grades 6-8.
A native of Kentucky, he has lived in Indiana since 1974. He has taught at both secondary and post-secondary educational institutions. Previously, Robert taught at the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home in Knightstown, Ind., where he conducted the first full-time veterinary science program in the state of Indiana for high school juniors and seniors, serving 11 high schools.
He also taught economics at Vincennes University and Oakland City University and served as an environmental education specialist for Purdue University. In 2004, he was asked by a major political party to run for U.S. Congress. As a high school football coach, his teams made two state championship appearances at the former RCA Dome in Indianapolis.
He holds BS and MS degrees from N. Carolina State University and Morehead State University, respectively. In 2005, he authored a nationally published book on public education, Redesigning Education in the U.S. for Academic Success, available in paperback from Xlibris.
Notable Achievements
- NCAA Division I football letterman
- Dean’s List college graduate
- Award recipient of the U.S. Junior Chamber (Jaycees) “Outstanding Young Man of America”
- NASA “Teacher in Space” candidate
- National television guest on the “700 Club”
