Jonathan Kozol Presentation at NAESP

I had the opportunity to hear Jonathan Kozol at the NAESP conference last week. I am sure many of us have had the experience of obtaining that stimulating high that comes from attending a great conference where you hear great speakers with ideas that seem to be "the fix" and the solution. Many times after a great conference, I have returned to work only to experience the low point where you face the reality of your situation head on and your nice bag filled with powerpoint packets, notes, books and nicknacks just sits there while you take on all the administrivia that comes your way.

Fortunately, I've had the opposite experience this time. Kozol's message was hopeful, but it also helped to frame my reality for me. As I reflected on his presentation of the inequities in public and private education that we continue to see across the country especially in places like New York and Los Angeles, I was reminded about my mission and purpose in my role as a principal at a Title 1 elementary school.

My school, one way or another will be moving from a" targeted assisted" status to "schoolwide" status next year. During the late 1960's when this school was built, it was located on the edge of the urban growth boundary. Fields and wetlands surrounded the campus along with new homes interspersed in-between. Most students walked to school and SES levels of families were quite high.

Now the scene is changing. The percentage of students receiving free and reduced lunch is surpassing 50%. We have a growing number of immigrant families. The street next to our school is quite busy with traffic and it is becoming increasingly dangerous to walk. The new developments have moved miles out to the East and the homes in our area, while kept up and maintained nicely, they are considered rather modest. Large apartment complexes fuel the ebb and flow of our enrollment and we are beginning to see homeowners with young families begin to move out of our area as they gain more purchasing power.

In a way, I am beginning to see myself as a guardian of this sanctuary of learning. (I heard this phrase from another principal who was running for an office in the NAESP organization. Forgive me if it sounds like a cliche.) I suppose this means that it will be my job to help this school and community make a transformation. We have a strong, hardworking staff who are preparing themselves for these changes and in some ways are already prepared. We have visited schools who are farther along in the process. We are learning how to develop our professional learning community. Systems such as RTI (Response to Intervention) and PBS (Positive Behavior Support) are being put in place. The PTA is made up of a strong, supportive group of parents who are working hard to support the school through volunteer and fundraising efforts.

My reality and my job in the coming days, weeks and months will be to guide the momentum that has started. I will have to do what I can to steer the ship of this school community and seek to funnel as many resources to it so that the inequities Kozol refers to are avoided. I have to believe they can be avoided or I wouldn't be able to do my job effectively.