(Birmingham, AL) FOCUS is pleased to announce Randall McFarland, Tarrant High School, as the winner of the 2021 Difference Maker Award which recognizes the most outstanding educator facilitating FOCUS in Alabama! The Difference Maker Award was created to honor those whose passion, enthusiasm, and leadership have resulted in real successes in the prevention of adolescent risk behaviors in their school and community. As the winner of this award, Mr. McFarland received $1,000 cash, a trophy, and framed certificate.
An individual nominating Mr. McFarland stated, “Mr. McFarland literally entered each classroom in the school and informed as many students as he could about the program and why we should join. His delivery and pitch were not only fun, but serious as well and we knew it was serious because he started to speak about our future and long-term goals.”
Randall McFarland obtained his bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Sociology and his Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health both from Alabama A&M University. He is also a member Xi Omicron chapter of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.
Mr. McFarland is the new School Social Worker and Graduation Coach at Tarrant High School. This is his first year not only as a Social Worker, but also as an employee of any school system. He is also the very first African American male Social Worker at Tarrant High School. He started facilitating INFOCUS, under the direction of Ms. Adrienne Coleman at Addiction Prevention Coalition, in 2020. According to Mr. McFarland, “the amount of determination, dedication, and bravery (in the students) despite the unfortunate situations within their households was wonderful to see!”
Mr. McFarland lives in Birmingham, Al. He is married to Carolynn McFarland and they were recently blessed with their first child, Randall Travis McFarland IV. He has five siblings, four sisters and one brother with him being the oldest. He also has a host of nieces and nephews. Some of his hobbies include Mixed Martial Arts training, traveling, and watching Japanese Anime.
We are honored to recognize Randall McFarland for his outstanding leadership. Congratulations and thank you to Mr. McFarland for his work in reducing the incidence of adolescent risk behaviors and truly Making a Difference in the lives of students!
