The View from the Administrator's Side

Abstract

A few years ago, I was invited by a state principals' professional journal to contribute an article. I thought a long time before choosing a topic, and when I finally did, I called it "Building the 'Our School' Concept." The article turned out to be very important for me because it sums up my general educational philosophy. To me, the ideal school system is one that has the "our school" concept.In such an institution, the students are certain that the administration and the members of the faculty are more interested in them as people than they are in the subject matter. It is the kind of school system in which students return on the Friday after Thanksgiving to participate in school activities-and do it of their own free will. A school district in which this actually happens is comprised of faculty members with excellent interpersonal relationships. They have respect for their administrator, and he, in turn, involves them in the decision-making process. They value one another, not only as professional people, but as human beings. There is a spirit of friendliness and helpfulness, and an unusually responsible attitude toward professional improvement. It is also a school system in which the