More Principal's Principals

More Principal's Principles is an addition to those I shared on Twitter in August, 2010. They reflect my thinking based on my 16 years (1968-1984) as principal of "Independence Elementary School" in Connecticut and my years since, as a teacher and director at the Learning Alternative English Language Center in Jerusalem, Israel.

My Additional 14 Principles

 1)  "The principal sets the tone for the whole school—it's as simple as that!"

 2)  "Invest your passion, creativity and vision into the life of your school. You'll reap untold riches!"

 3) "Know your students, staff and parents. Connect with them, laugh with them, rejoice with them. Relish each moment.  

 4)  "Bring the whole "you" into the life of the school." (Schools do not grow people, people grow people ~ paraphrasing Carl R. Rogers, 1971.)

 5) "Respect, relationships and caring are vital elements of a healthy school environment."

 6)  "When the individuality of each child & teacher is valued, supported and appreciated, children and teachers will flourish!"

 7) "Building bridges between school and home leads to maximum levels of confidence and trust."

 8)  "When families understand you have the best interests of their children at heart, they'll go to great lengths to support the school."

 9)  "Never underestimate the importance of the school in fostering youngsters' self-confidence and curiosity."

10) "Be the most effective leader you can possibly be. Remember, also, to follow the lead of your teachers, students and parents."

11) "Base your decisions on what's best for children."

12) "Respect diversity." 

13) "Place a very high priority on finding the finest teachers and supporting your teachers in their professional growth."

14) "Encourage caring and kind acts throughout the school community."

Richard Lakin, Jerusalem, Israel
June 29, 2011

Author of Teaching as an Act of Love:
Thoughts and Recollections of a Former
Teacher, Principal and Kid
(Free E-Copy http://bit.ly/9izOeu)