Thursday, August 12, 2004 Prohhorov: Madam Principal By Gina Prohhorov Great potentials
One of the noblest professions is being a schoolteacher and an educator. Most public schools now are overcrowded yet the government cannot immediately build additional rooms. Yet teaching must go on. This is when principals have a big role as mother hens in their school.
Let’s take a look at one Madam Principal who enjoys her air-con nook so much. She hardly goes around to check the classes. She has her kids using the lights and computers until 10 at night to do their homework.
When parents want to talk to her about “contributions,” they have to wait an hour before they can be accommodated. But despite the coolness in her room, Madam Principal’s face is complete with all the frowns and sharp eye contact. Her temper is well projected through her stern voice.
Poor parents try to ask for some clarifications only to be scolded and thrown out without any clear explanation.
Even teachers who would want to talk to her think thrice first before entering her room. They know she would say, “Just wait for the next meeting. I will discuss that matter. Just keep collecting the contributions. We need it badly.” Everything has to wait and everybody has to adjust to her superiority attitude.
Perhaps this Madam Principal has forgotten that once she was also a teacher hoping to be guided by a principal. She must have forgotten that it makes a difference when a principal is sweet, dynamic, and accommodating.
Someone who can be a coach and an adviser. Someone who is very approachable and can be supportive in times of confusion.
If you find teachers of your kids with unhappy faces, check the face of the principal in that school. Why? Because a principal’s personality can motivate all the rest of the teachers who then should motivate all the students. No matter what difficult problems the teacher faces, the principal is there to guide and redirect her attitude in handling that conflict. The teacher will leave the principal’s office feeling high, energetic, strong and motivated.
I will soon be visiting the different public schools here hoping I do not discover such kind of Madam Principal locally. If I do, I will conduct a free GP (Great Potential) Personality Enhancement Educator’s Seminar right on the spot.
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