Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 11, 1990 TAG: 9006110213
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TAMMY POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
That's how 38-year-old Linda Wright, principal of Garden City Elementary School, describes herself - a friend to both the pupils in her school and their parents.
Wright was in the hospital after the birth of her second child in 1988 when she was named principal of the school.
"I'm probably the only one who was having a baby when I was chosen to be principal," she said.
That summer, Wright brought her infant to school while she chose books, assigned pupils to classes, and did paper work.
Her children, Whitney, 5, and Logan, 2, have helped her understand parents better, she said.
"I don't think it changed my understanding of children, but it has helped me relate to parents better.
"For example, if a child has just lost his seventh hat at school, this is going to cause problems. The parent is probably going to be upset over the amount of money he or she has spent on hats and wonder what is going on at the school when we can't keep up with the child's belongings."
The Garden City community is close-knit, and many of the parents went to Garden City Elementary themselves, Wright said. They often drop by the school to check on their children's progress or to discuss problems, she said.
Wright said she is proud of the relationship she has with her pupils. "I think they see me as someone they can talk to."
She also believes that parents need to be comfortable with the school as well.
"I strive very hard to make them feel that way. The image that many people have of principals as remote individuals who sit behind a desk all day is changing."
Wright manages to spend time in each classroom, observing both teachers and pupils so she'll be familiar with what's going on. "I'm a doer, not a sitter. I don't believe in spending my time behind a desk."
Observing her teachers in class is the best way to find out the needs of her pupils, and which teachers to assign children to in the coming year, she said.
"If I don't become involved with the students on a regular basis how will I know the needs of each child? We're dealing with a diverse population, and a number of children need bonding to take place between them and the school. I'm the first contact many of them have with the school."
Wright said she considers teaching a performing art, just like dancing or acting.
"I have to observe the teachers performing to know how they teach."
Recently, kindergartners summed up Wright's job this way: "A principal listens to you, sees that everyone behaves, teaches the teachers, forgives teachers, works in her office, helps clean up the school, works for the school, reads stories to students, gives them ice cream, visits classrooms, helps teachers and students, gives pupils stuff, and talks on the intercom."
Wright said she especially likes the way one fifth-grade student described her.
"We came back late from a field trip, and I was helping out in the cafeteria by operating the cash register. He came by and said, `Look, a working principal.' I don't know what else he thinks I do all day."
by CNB