anecdote illustrates the earning of this trust in the school leader’s most
important role, that of instructional leader. However, sometimes a single
action done on the spur of the moment can earn trust if it validates the
work of the staff.
Several years later, Mr. Thelen became the “interim acting” principal
of the same academic-vocational school. This neophyte principal used the
six-month interim acting grace period to learn about the key people and
systems in the school.
In our modern world, the method of choice as personified by a suc-
cession of corporate chancellors in New York City has been to assume
that everything and everyone that exists is part of an extensive problem
so that drastic changes are needed. Ironically, as school system heads go
about eliminating dysfunctional systems, they also dismantle systems that
worked. As they encourage the retirement of those who understood the
history and workings of a massive bureaucracy, they create more prob-
lems than they solve.
Perhaps our age of instant communication and ever more efficient
computer chips has led us to believe that we must reinvent school systems
every year or two, just as we replace our once state-of-the-art-and-now
obsolete computers and cell phones. However, schools are people places,
and education is more art than science. So is educational leadership. It
is better to know who and what you have before you bring in “experts”
to fix everything. Our new principal found that most of the teachers and
administrators he inherited were dedicated professionals, including the
many vocational teachers who were very worried about having a principal
from an academic background.
Mr. Thelen’s first real crisis came on the day of the annual fashion
show. Just as other schools have theatrical performances or class “sings,”
this academic-vocational school had a very elaborate annual fashion
show, featuring garments designed, constructed, and modeled by students.
Before the public shows, where the extended school community could
whoop it up in celebration of the talents of the students, there was the
“industry” presentation where supporters from the garment industry and
their invited guests were given a private show.
For the students and staff this industry show was an important event
where these supporters could see the results of their donations of exper-
tise, fabric, and money, and where new partnerships could be formed.
Always Be a Role Model 5