RECIPIENT OF endless joy from my children and grandkids, and from the smiles, laughter and sense of wonder of the hundreds of elementary school children I had the good fortune to work with as a teacher and principal during the past 40 years. ADVOCATE of children, teachers and parents.   BASIC VIEWS  *every child is a miracle   *kindness and positivism are contagious   *empowerment frees people to realize their potential   *parenting and teaching are acts of love   *schools must be caring learning communities where pluralism and opportunities for choice abound.