A little recognition is due to these dedicated educators.
There's nothing quite as disturbing
as that slow, thoughtful answering machine message from your child's
Principal saying, "We need to talk. Please come to my office."
Maybe you've had this call.
For me, these calls were never about the kids, but about various
(sometimes hair-brained) ideas involving the PTA.
I learned a lot about Principals while serving as PTA President.
Principals have total control of their school. They have the right
of censorship. They have final say on curriculum, discipline,
and fundraising. They usually have excellent reasons for their
decisions, too.
So, why do we need Principals? Principals set the attitude, style,
and environment for the school. They hire teachers that reflect
their goals and objectives. They provide training, evaluations,
and support for their teachers. Principals talk to students, teachers,
and parents. And they attend hundreds of extra-curricular events
and meetings.
"Principals care. They take the time to listen. The results
may not be what you want, but they really do listen." This
comes from Pat Neville-Anderson, a parent that's dealt with 3
principals.
Parents question everything teachers do. They want schools to
run smoothly with no discipline problems and high test scores.
Yet they object when their own kid "might need a little extra
help to keep up" or "could use a bit more sleep to settle
into class." Principals step in to smooth out misunderstandings,
and to keep things running smoothly. Principals have to justify
their teacher's position, and they work out compromises.
The average K-8 Principal is responsible for 451 students, 30
teachers, and 14 support staff. In Alachua County, these numbers
are higher on average: 630 students, 41 teachers, and 63 additional
staff.
Often, we read wonderful stories of accomplishments of students,
teachers, and entire schools. It's like reading about Doug Johnson's
last touch down. You loose site of the facilitators behind the
scene--the ones setting the tone, fighting for dollars, and working
through administrative requirements. Principals are there behind
our many accomplishments.
A recent study surveyed teacher's perceptions of their principals.
The attributes for principals were the same as a business manager's
perceptions of a great leader, and parents felt the same. Generally,
principals are: Honest, Competent, Forward-looking or visionary,
inspiring, intelligent, fair-minded, broad-minded, straight-forward,
imaginative, dependable, supportive, courageous, caring, cooperative,
mature, ambitious, determined, self-controlled, loyal, and independent.
The implication for principals is clear: The better principals
understand teachers' and parents' expectations, the more likely
a principal can fulfill the expectations of the role. Understanding
these expectations can and will influence teacher and parent involvement,
which, ultimately, affects student achievements.
The Alachua County Council of PTAs (ACCPTA) is proud to sponsor
the reception honoring principals; "Sailing into the 21st
Century with the Principal Crew". Our principals and special
center directors, all 44 of them, are primarily responsible for
the educational success of Alachua County Schools. With over 750+
years of educational experience, our "Principal Crew"
leads us into the 21st Century, with soaring AP scores (Go BHS
and EHS), no schools on the critical list (Go Duval) and magnet/vocational
programs soaring to capacity.
The next time you get a call to see the principal, remember that
it might be about "your kid" and it might not, but these
principals have one strong objective, "Success for every
child". Thank your principal for all he does for the children
of Alachua County.
Janice, I think you have a better
chance getting this printed without my name associated with it!
Go for it!