There is no way I can begin to estimate how many times people have asked my why I choose to be a high school principal. Either that, or they say something along the line of “There is no way I would ever do that!” Yes, it is a tough job and there are certainly those days when I go home at night exhausted and with some form of negative emotion, perhaps anger or disappointment, but most often, frustration. But, I am not a stupid man — stubborn, but not stupid — and I would not keep doing this if the negatives outweighed the positives. There are many more days that give me positive satisfaction than the tough ones, and I do subscribe to the philosophy of “if you enjoy what you do then you will never work a day in your life,” though this job is a lot of work! What people who are not in the school building day in, day out do not know, is that every day is different and there are incredible things that happen that more often than not bring me great joy!
So what are those things that bring me great joy? The list could go on and on, but here are a few. I love watching happy people. Sometimes without even knowing what is going on, I get a smile on my face and a good feeling in my soul watching kids being happy. It may be a girl running up to a friend with a skip in her step, a huge smile on her face and wide-eyed, to share some important news. Who knows, and who cares what the news was! They are excited and you can’t help but crack a smile yourself. Suffice to say, being in the presence of happy people makes the day go better, and a day doesn’t go by when you don’t see some of this.
I love seeing a student’s eyes light up when they “get it” or when they have a chance to talk about something they are passionate about, or when they hear some unexpected good news. When any of these things happen I get a warm feeling in my stomach, and sometimes I have even gotten a lump in my throat. In regard to passion, in recent years nothing has brought that to the surface with students as much as the Capstone project. To watch and listen to a young man talk about fly fishing, and another about bass fishing was actually moving. Or when a young lady produced a style show of prom dresses over the decades and headed off to college to study fashion and design. Passion is hard to disguise and is contagious.
It is really cool when a student takes a moment to go out of their way to share about something big that has happened to them. This is far better than parents bragging up their child because when you hear it from the kid you know it is important to them. Of course you have to love humility, but when a student comes up with a look of pride and shares that she was accepted to her first college choice, that is memorable. Or when you receive word through ACT that five students in the class scored 30 or better on the test, you just can describe the feeling you have.
After sticking around for an extra day to finish up some work, a senior in the Class of 2016 got his check out sheet signed by Mr. Clark and as he walked down the hall to turn it in to Robin Albert, he raised both arms above his head and yelled a loud “Whoo-hoo!” Making it all the more enjoyable to see and hear is that this particular young many was one of the softest spoken members of the class. I had a few conversations with him over the past year, but he was far from a talker! I loved that response because school has not been easy for him.
Another very important memory took place a few years ago at graduation when a student who has overcome incredible obstacles in her life, coming to this country from a life lived in what we consider primitive conditions surrounded by a lawless environment with gun toting criminals, was something I certainly could not identify with. The first female in her family to earn a high school diploma, and since, to go on to college. On that graduation day after the ceremony the small family was gathered outside and as I walked by I made eye contact, smiled, and nodded at the group on my way to my car. As I opened the door I felt a tap on my shoulder and one of the family members asked me if I would join the young lady and her family in a photo to mark the accomplishment. I was honored to be included and it is one of my favorite moments of my life!
I have been at this teaching and principal gig for 30 years now, and the number of these types of things are far too numerous to count. And, I have forgotten more than I remember! Watching great teachers teach is another joy that I have. There is no question that there are times in the classroom that are pure magic, when the preparation of the teacher leads to an outstanding learning experience for the students. Just as important are the incredible things that teachers do that impact students, both in and out of the classroom. One of those on the list is the complete 180-degree turn taken in a relationship between one of our teachers and a student from 7th grade through the student’s junior year. It would be safe to say that a few years ago the student and parents did not like or have an ounce of respect for the teacher, as was displayed during meetings, phone calls, and email communication. What has happened since, while not a miracle, is certainly one of the best examples of people treating each other with respect and putting the past behind them. While the student has faced a number of struggles, this teacher has been there for him every inch of the way. While it may be one of the most extreme turn of events, it is not unusual that when students mature and are given more than a couple of chances, sometimes the incredible happens. I get a great deal of satisfaction when the incredible happens, but also when those little things like getting a student with a sad look on their face smile when you say “Hello!"
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