Principals With Class -- Readers Rave About Leaders Who Cherish Their Schools And Students

Nov 6, 1995

School principals may have one of the hardest jobs in education today, but their work is not unappreciated, judging from the dozens of Seattle Times readers who wrote us to nominate their principals as being among the best.

They credited their principals with rescuing schools on the verge of closure, shepherding them through crises, creating a sense of family and, in one case, literally giving his students the shirt off his back. -----------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a sampling of reader letters.

Brown makes our whole school smile

We would like to "tell the world" about our principal at View Ridge Elementary in Seattle, Ed Brown. He makes our school a safe, caring, learning place for kids and teachers. We have an assembly every Monday morning. Mr. Brown says, "I feel good. G-O-O-D. Good," in sign language. He plays ball with the kids at recess. He makes our whole school smile. - Mrs. Mikaloff's second- and third-grade class

Credit Perry for Apartment School

I would like to draw your attention to Leslie Perry, currently at Gregory Heights Elementary School. For the past four years, she was principal at Hazel Valley Elementary in the Highline School District.

At Hazel Valley, she worked with a diverse student body that had 59 percent on free and reduced-price lunch. Together with staff and parents, they raised student expectations, test scores and citizenship. Noteworthy accomplishments included opening this area's first Apartment School, an apartment unit set aside in one of the largest apartment complexes in the area and staffed by a teacher.

On Leslie's first day in her new school, she was surrounded by flowers from staff and parents from Hazel Valley. Leslie has been at Gregory Heights for only two months, and staff members are already raving about the "new principal." - Dick Cvitanich, area adminstrator with the Highline School District

Giving 150 percent is Danner's way

Doug Danner, principal of Middle College High School, is a take-charge principal. He calls students to wake them up, insisting they come to school once it's obvious they're going to be absent.

One girl was embarrassed to come to school because she needed a decent winter coat. He saw to it she got a new coat. Another student receiving his first scholarship didn't have clothes to go to the presentation, and Danner literally gave him the shirt off his back, giving him one of his own very nice suits and a tie. On occasion he's gone to juvenile court to speak out on a student's behalf and plead with the court to give him a second chance.

Second chances are what Doug Danner's school is about. He's a principal who gives 150 percent to his students every day. - Lynn Neal, Seattle

Burdett brings leadership and life

Seven years ago when she arrived, I jokingly said to Susan Burdett: "Will you be here longer than one year?" We had had some bad luck prior to that, with two principals in two years. Burdett not only stayed beyond one year, she has brought leadership and life to our school. She is out on the playground, greets children as they get dropped off in the mornings and is a very visible leader. - Cappy Goodell, Our Lady of Fatima School, Seattle

`Spiderman' Snyder spins change

In less than five years, Ron Snyder has led a restructuring effort at Alternative School No. 1 in Seattle that has changed the direction of one of the district's smallest schools into one of the district's biggest winners for children.

A.S. 1 was a site-council school long before the concept had a name. The current system is a partnership between staff, students and their parents. On any given day, Ron can be found among the ranks teaching classes or driving the school bus on one of A.S. 1's many field trips.

Ron has been nicknamed the "Spiderman" because of his skill at networking and spinning one resource into another until a small success becomes a major win for his students. Thanks to Ron's efforts, there are more volunteers at A.S. 1 than there are students.

When Ron came to A.S. 1, it was a threatened school, confused from constant turnover of leadership, its vision unclear, a great staff floundering and student population shrinking. Today, A.S. 1 has a strong waiting list, pride in its accomplishments, surplus money, strong partnerships, a quality site-council process, a fine curriculum and a climate of respect. - Linda Grubb, A.S. 1 administrative secretary

Always a helping hand from McConkey

Don McConkey, principal of Fall City Elementary, is a wonderfully creative and energetic administrator. He attends every school function, but not to oversee and be in charge. He comes prepared to sling spaghetti for an annual fund-raiser. He comes to cook hot dogs for kindergarten orientation. He comes to fill the sandbox, and he's always one of the last to leave.

He put together money to begin an art program that allows the school to hire artists from the community. He has received numerous grants from Boeing and Microsoft to create a computer-networking system.

He often releases teachers to observe colleagues' classrooms, encouraging communication and peer coaching to increase teacher effectiveness. Who teaches their classrooms on these occasions? Don McConkey. - Fall City Elementary's Parent-Teacher-Student Association

28 new programs, thanks to Garvin

In the past three years, Grover Garvin, the principal of the Neah Bay K-12 School, has demonstrated the fact that solid leadership, long-range planning and dedication to students CAN make a difference in a school.

The Neah Bay K-12 School is located on the Makah Indian Reservation. Grover Garvin commissioned a high-school-level class in the Makah language. He was also instrumental in expanding and upgrading the school's bilingual-education program. A total of 28 new programs for students have been instituted in this first year of Mr. Garvin's tenure.

Perhaps most significant of all, Mr. Garvin understands that success in school does not necessarily translate to success in later life. By connecting with local businesses, colleges and universities, Neah Bay students now have opportunities to learn valuable life skills that will help them in the job market. - Dr. Ann Renker, bilingual teacher in Neah Bay K-12 Schools

Shumate shines as people person

At the heart of Tyee High School's restructuring success is our third-year principal, Jean Shumate.

During the 1993-94 school year, Tyee suffered through six separate, tragic deaths of students. Jean Shumate led her school community through the grieving process in a manner that built strength and understanding. She facilitated workshops on gang awareness, loss and grieving and positive parenting.

Jean Shumate is not just an administrator. She is a people person most comfortable interacting with staff and students, a visible presence on the school campus. - 17 members of the Tyee High School staff, Highline School District, Burien

Kids' needs come first with Arthur

Douglas Arthur, principal at St. Anthony's School in Renton, truly lives his philosophy that decisions will be based on what is best for the children.

He joined the school in 1988 and since has increased the dwindling enrollment from less than 300 to more than 500 this year and doubled the number of junior-high classes.

First-graders proudly enter his office to receive his signature and stickers for perfect math papers. This is a principal who we treasure, the children respect and parents can trust. - Anita Weismantel Mikasa, Renton

Westergaard-Nimocks builds success

Since taking over at Hazelwood Elementary School in Lynnwood six years ago, Jane Westergaard-Nimocks has created an environment for students, staff and parents that has contributed dramatically to student success.

Working in concert with the site council and the PTA, she has increased community involvement in the school by including parents as part of the instructional team in the classroom.

Hazelwood has a nationally recognized visually impaired program that allows blind students to fully participate in the regular school program.

She has encouraged intensive professional development and curriculum restructuring that has placed greater emphasis on students doing research, solving problems or manipulating real objects to help master critical academic concepts. - Alan Bonney, Lynnwood

Hayes makes herself accessible to all

Cathy Hayes, principal of Summit K-12, heads up one of the most ethnically and geographically diverse school communities in Seattle Public Schools. With the school's K-12 focus, a typical day finds Cathy comforting a kindergartner one moment and writing a college letter of recommendation for a senior the next.

Cathy has a clear vision of Summit's parent/teacher/student-generated mission. She sets clear and reasonable expectations for students and delivers swift, positive discipline when necessary.

Cathy teaches American government and economics to all seniors. She tells them they can't pick up their diplomas until they produce two things: a voter's registration card and proof of zero balance on their credit cards.

People in a community help each other out, and Cathy takes this to heart - spending the night at school with snowed-in students, going beyond the call of duty for staff members who've lost loved ones, organizing and delivering holiday baskets to parents going through tough times or driving a student who missed the bus. She is accessible to all. - Diane Collum, co-chairwoman, Summit K-12 parent group

Mixing fun and work is Dickert's way

Lew Dickert at Lockwood Elementary in Bothell - "Mr. D" to the kids - is remarkable in being approachable. He greets kids by name as they come off the school bus in the morning and often can be found on the playground during recess. He has been known to don a colorful cape and T-shirt as "Super Principal." One time, he and an assistant principal wore tank tops and shorts, played Beach Boys music and waved from the school roof as students boarded buses home for the summer.

He manages to balance a fun approach with the serious matter of learning. He insists on respect between students and enforces the school's discipline policy without apology. He has been instrumental in our school obtaining various state grants as well as much-needed physical improvements. - Shelley Ockwell, Brier

Panush gets parents into the act

Each parent at Canyon Creek Elementary in Bothell knows that Ann Panush will remember each child's name - some feat for a school of 500-plus students! Once a teacher herself, Mrs. Panush loves visiting and teaching in the classrooms.

Parents work in the classroom as tutors or writing and reading group facilitators; on shared decision-making committees; or through PTA-sponsored programs such as student banking, library helpers or the before-school breakfast program.

With all this happening at Canyon Creek, how can a parent make an appointment to see the principal? It's easy! Walk in, enjoy the warm, friendly office atmosphere, and meet a smiling, pleasant principal. - Suzanne G. Beyer, parent

Miracles happen with Clark around

There is no more effective principal in the system than Christi Clark, principal at Montlake Elementary School in Seattle. It is a magical place where daily there are miracles and joy that don't exist in most schools.

The student body numbers fewer than 240 most years, and because the students always score in the highest percentages on all those pesky achievement tests, we constantly battle the powers that be to keep the appropriate number of teachers. It is a daily battle in which Ms. Clark is the valiant general. I have been in awe of her clever and diplomatic ways for four years now.

Montlake is blessed with a supportive group of parents who despite peer pressure send their children to public school - when most could afford the alternate route. The reason we do is quite simply good leadership. - Kay Smith-Blum, parent

Ginsberg boosts academy standards

I am writing to tell you about a principal who has made a tremendous difference at the Seattle Hebrew Academy.

Rabbi Binyomin Ginsberg can best be described as a life giver: Even when he disciplines children, they come away with a belief that they can do better. He has expanded SHA's standards as a school of excellence, providing an excellent general and Jewish education in grades preschool through eight.

His leadership has turned the school around, making it a vibrant, exciting institution.

Students have weekly meetings with mentors, teachers and community members. Rabbi Ginsberg has also overseen a program for gifted students and fostered a group of teachers to introduce a unique science curriculum. Through his efforts, the Academy received a donation of 17 IBM computers.

He restored a foundation for Seattle's Jewish community that will continue for generations. - David Hyman, parent

Phenomenal! That describes Hairston

Euhania Hairston, principal at M.L. King Elementary in Seattle, is in a word, phenomenal! She took an underenrolled school and built it up, turning it into a focal point for the community.

Her strengths include her ability to bring together community, parents, staff and students in a safe and creative environment. Parents consistently speak of a sense of family at the school, its open-door policy for parents/ volunteers, the committed staff and of a principal who gets things done. - Marilyn Olson, parent and site-council secretary Education hotline

Education is a top coverage priority of The Seattle Times. If you have a story tip, comment or suggestion on education coverage, please call our Education Hotline at 464-3339. Or contact education editor Bill Ristow by fax at 464-2261 or by e-mail at bris-new@seatimes.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- Education hotline