The Okaloosa County School Board approved Robert Maddens as the Assistant Principal of Ruckel Middle School at the October 14, 2024, School Board meeting.
Mr. Maddens is a proud product of the Okaloosa County School District, having graduated from Niceville High School in 2006. After high school, he completed his Associates of Arts Degree with a focus in Psychology at Okaloosa Walton Community College, before completing his Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Psychology at the University of Central Florida. Mr. Maddens completed his master’s in educational leadership certification through the University of West Florida.
Maddens began his teaching career at Shoal River Middle school in 2015. While at Shoal River Middle School, he taught primarily 8th grade history and became fully involved in many aspects of the school. At Shoal River, he coached football, basketball, golf, and the academic team. He was awarded Teacher of the Year for Shoal River Middle School in 2023. His passion for education and athletics has transferred to his two children. Vince, who is a collegiate basketball player at Warner University, and Alex, who now also works for the Okaloosa County School District as a Driver’s Education Instructor, and Social Studies teacher.
Following Shoal River Middle School, Mr. Maddens has most recently worked as the Dean of Students at Riverside Elementary School, while continuing to coach at Shoal River Middle School. He has gained experience in this role, becoming more familiar with the roles and responsibilities that school administrators have in coordinating the support of students and their varying needs. Mr. Maddens credits much of his success to the support of his mother and father, Retired Master Sergeant Ramona Maddens, retired Chief Master Sergeant Robert Maddens, and his wonderful wife of seven years, Community Health Improvement Section Chief, Petra Maddens.