DES MOINES, Iowa — A lot of things are intentional about how Dr. Ian Roberts approaches his role as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. Roberts recently began his second year leading Iowa’s largest public school district.

WHO 13’s Courtney Greene recently sat down with Roberts to learn more about his background, upbringing and his unique sense of style.

Roberts is the third of three boys born in Brooklyn, New York. He spent many summers in Guyana in South America with his grandparents, where his grandfather was a steward of the land.

“My grandfather was a farmer, coconut and rice paddy farmer and a fisherman as well,” said Roberts.

During his early years, their village didn’t have electricity or running water.

“Every person in that village really supported each other and there was just so much respect for every person’s comedy, humanity, regardless of what their economic or political status was in that village.”

In Brooklyn, his mother worked three jobs to support her sons, including working as a seamstress.

“I often heard from her that people tend to judge you based on the first impression. So, how you look tends to signal to so many people your level of seriousness, who you are and what you represent.”

“What sneaker I’m going to wear, what color suit I’m going to put on, because it’s so much about students and so little about me. It’s my conversation starter piece.”

Roberts said his look evolved as his career grew. Every detail is intentional, from the flower lapel …

“I just love flowers. There’s something just again, when you water flowers, how is one of the things that you can watch and grow? And I think about my work here as superintendent to continuously pour into students to watch, to grow. And so, every single day I probably wear a lapel pin that’s a flower.”

To the socks …

“I just love funky socks right? My socks sort of like drives my mood. There’s so much about who I am and what I do as a person, as an educator, as a superintendent that is inspired and influenced by students and teachers who serve them.”

To the sneakers …

“I spent so much time moving from buildings and schools, sneakers are comfortable. And the evolution around my fashion started with my desire to wear sneakers, because not only did I enjoy them as an athlete, but they were great conversation starters with students.”

Courtney asked Roberts, “How many pairs of Jordans? How many pairs of sneakers do you have?”

“I stopped counting,” he said.

Wednesday at 10 p.m., Courtney talks to Roberts about how discipline and hard work drove him to earn two master’s degrees and a doctorate degree. He also talks about making the 2000 Summer Olympic team in track and field.

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