How Lara Became A Principal

(by Rick - Lara would never write something this self-congratulatory, it's not her way.)

Last night, the Lucia Mar School District voted 5-0 to approve the Superintendent's recommendations for public employee appointments. Included in that slate was for Lara Storm to be the next principal of Fairgrove Elementary School in Grover Beach, California, where she has taught sixth grade for the last 5 years.

The board room was packed with teachers and other district employees. A few were there to hear who the new principals and vice principals would be, but most were there to support the teachers of the year that each site had selected, as well as the district wide teacher of the year. It was standing room only.

Lara's appointment was part of the first agenda item, but was mentioned second in a string of about 5 appointments. The Superintendent gave a brief introduction of each appointment and concluded with his statement that excellent leadership was bolstered in the district with these appointments. As he went through the appointments, the applause varied from polite, to enthusiastic. But when Lara's name was revealed as the Principal of Fairgrove, the crowd cheered, many people that were seated stood up, and the Superintendent and at least one board member remarked about how enthusiastic the applause and cheering was.

People were cheering because in Lara's 5 years in this district she has established her reputation as an excellent teacher, an innovator, and a talented instructional leader. Plus, just about everyone loves her. But at least some of the excitement was the sheer surprise of this appointment. Almost no one in the room saw it coming.

Lara interviewed for this position the Thursday before Memorial day weekend, and had a second round interview the next day, Friday. That afternoon, she was toldthat she was totally capable, but that they needed to get her some more experience first. Just as promised, the next Tuesday, Lara was scheduled for an interview for assistant principal at one of the middle schools in the district. By then, word had gotten around Fairgrove that Lara was not going to be their principal. Some people had ideas about who it would be, but no one "knew" for sure.

After the assistant principal interview, Lara was called back to discuss something with the at the district office. The next day at work, because she was still under a confidentiality order, she couldn't tell anyone that she had been nominated for the principal job, because it hadn't been approved by the board yet. Everyone, knowing Lara and her accomplishments, assumed that she was going to be nominated to be assistant principal at a middle school. One friend even brought her flowers and a card.

For the last year, I believed that that's exactly what would happen. I knew her reputation and hard work would carry her far. I wasn't ever sure that she would get the job she did. It's a testament to the people in the district that they recognized her record and put her in place. The people in charge there are focused in on delivering quantifiable results in student learning, and Lara has been accomplished in that her whole career. In the end, that's what matters. They recognized that. We both appreciate how rare that is and how special of an opportunity she has been given. I think everyone reading this knows she won't let them down.

As soon as the cheering subsided, the text messages started coming. People thought she had been keeping the secret for the last two weeks. Believe me, if she had been, she would have deserved an oscar. But she didn't.

She's going in with the staff behind her and with a good knowledge of all the workings at the school. I'm excited that she's going to have the opportunity to positively impact the learning of even more kids now.

I've been saying this for years, and I'll say it again: I wish I was half as good at my job as she is at hers. I'd have taken a multi-million dollar verdict from someone by now!