TOW #22 - Want to Fix Schools? Go to the Principal's Office

On the 10th of March, 2017, Op-Ed columnist for the New York Times, David Leonhardt, wrote an article titled Want to Fix Schools? Go to the Principal’s Office. The article focuses on the importance that principals hold in a school environment and the steps that are being taken more recently to improve what they are able to do in order to make sure that schools are a better place for everyone. In order to do this, Leonhardt employs anecdotes from various students as well as principals and teachers. He also utilizes expert testimony.

The article opens with Leonhardt telling of Gregory Jones, the principle of Kenwood High School, which is located in Chicago. Jones had investigated after a fight at the school and found that a junior by the name of Maya Space had witnessed. After conferencing with her later, he realized that she was not on the track to graduate, and had ended up calling her mother. The three were then able to meet in order to discuss what they could do to improve Maya’s situation and increase the chances that she would graduate. This is only one example of a principal in one school, but it displays just how dedicated principals can be to their students. Jones wanted nothing less than for this one student in his school to succeed, so he went through the trouble of setting up meetings and studying up on her student record in order to figure out methods of improvement that would work for her. This is of extreme importance for students in a school, to have an elder who is looking out for the students, but this is only one example of how a principal can express their worth to a school environment.

In an interview conducted by Leonhardt, he received word from the mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, on his thoughts of the schooling situation and those similar to Maya Space. He stressed the importance of principals stating that “principals create the environment. They create a culture of accountability. They create a sense of community. And none of us, nationally, ever debate principals.” Through this statement, Emanuel is able to not only stress his opinion of principals to the public, but he also suggests a possible way to improve the condition of schools - by bringing the ideas that these school leaders present to a national level. This, as a result, will have the potential to improve schooling across the United States.

Overall, I do believe the Leonhardt was effective in showing that principals do have a very important role within schools in the United States and that more people should work to realize this. As a result going forward, I will be more considerate of the ideas that are put forward by my principal and school administration and will listen to what they say and think more before I make my own opinion on the subject.