When I transferred to Balboa High School (which I'll always call BAL) in September 1996 as a Head Counselor/Dean, I never thought that I would spend more than a decade there, with ten years as principal.  Like the late Don Hewitt, it was my life.  And what a school! With grown children out of the nest,  Balboa’s success became my passion, followed by a little gardening – when I had the time.

And yes, that garden grew when the days at school were challenging.  Every challenging day resulted in a new plant from one of the local gardening centers, a friend, or mail order.  Perennials became my coping mechanism.  What better than a lovely plant that, after the enjoyment of its flowers, it could be planted and enjoyed again the next season.   

Advice to emerging school leaders: gardening, or some other diversion, is absolutely critical to one’s sanity when turning a school around.  You too must be joyful in the job, having a genuine smile for every student, always doing the right thing for your students and staff (in that order).  Sorry if I offend anyone, but the students are our customers. Have a sense of urgency about what the students and staff need, give them what they need, explain the reasons when you can’t (That’s the Geometry teacher in me), and life is good for all of us! Oh, and don’t forget to listen to everyone; you will make allies and also know what is happening in your school.

Everyone is as important to the success of the school as you are.  You can not do all of it yourself.   Your greatest allies are the teachers and the parents because, if students are to learn, at school, it begins in the classroom; and all parents will support anyone who works to make their offspring successful. Assume good intentions, even when you disagree with someone in the school community.  Only then will mutual respect emerge in the collegial effort to reach a common goal – student success. Lastly, be the best that you can be at being an instructional leader.  The lives of children, their futures, are in your hands.

This year, I've taken the position as the Executive Director, Leadership and Equity Initiative for the San Francisco Unified School District, pushing, pressing, and supporting principals to be the best that they can be in creating positive change, equity and access for all students; intentionally diminishing the power of demographics for children who may not have had the opportunities of more affluent families or of dominant ethnic groups; and supporting principals who have the difficult conversations that cause discourse in their communities.

This position is the result of civic-minded people and their civic-minded organization investing their resources where there was once only talk.  They are putting the talk into action; and I am grateful for the opportunity to use my 45 years of experience in public, private, and private industry education (I started young!) to help move San Francisco Public Schools closer to access and equity for all.

Now it's your turn: what is effective and inspirational school leadership? What do you want to see in your school leaders?