THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 11, 1994 TAG: 9408090166
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COVER STORY
BACK TO SCHOOL
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Birthplace: Chesapeake
Birthdate: Sept. 24, 1945
Family: Wife, Dianne, two daughters, Talesha, junior at North Carolina State University, Lauren, 7, and a son, Joel II, 9.
Pets: none
Education: Bachelor of science degree in social science from St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Va. Master's degree in guidance and counseling and certification in secondary administration from Old Dominion University. Completed all but dissertation for doctorate in education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
Previous position: Principal of Lake Taylor Middle for six years. Before that, he worked as an assistant principal at Northside Middle, Rosemont Middle, Campostella Junior High and Madison Secondary Alternative School. He also was a counselor at Booker T. Washington High and a teacher/program coordinator at the Norfolk Detention Home.
Goals: ``We must have a safe school, and from an academic standpoint we want our kids to achieve at a high level. At the end of the ninth grade we want all our kids to have a vision, something concrete, a career plan they're working towards.''
Obstacles: ``We look at them as opportunites. Whatever it takes to give our students support, from the administration, from the guidance staff, from the teaching staff, we're just going to have to make that happen.''
Proudest accomplishment as an educator: ``Most of the students I've worked with see me as student-oriented in helping them achieve their goals.''
Hobbies: Trying to stay in shape, with work outs and running, big sports fan, reading.
Book you'd recommend: Book reading now is focused on total quality management. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Joel R. Wagner
KEYWORDS: PROFILE
by CNB