Principles of Principals

I got a report of a fight on the playground while I was away at a district meeting.  Standard protocols ensue, call to parents, and a promise to investigate upon my return to my office. Upon my return, I find on of the two 3rd grade boys who went at each other over who was faster in a foot race.  On the surface, a typical scuffle right? While waiting for Dad to arrive, Seth (name changed) tells me about his Dad's return from surgery, how excited he is to go camping so that they can get out of the shelter for a spell, and how he's having trouble with his Mom.  She's been knocking him down "...a lot more than usual."  Now...I have to call the police. I'm informed that Dad is up front, Seth leaves, quickly returning with tears in his eyes and a staff member in tow, paramedics have been called, Dad's having a heart attack in the front office. Contrary to stern advice, Dad refuses transport to the hospital, citing trouble with his wife hitting the kids ...

As a youngster of 9 or 10, I decided that I wanted to join my Dad, and his running partner Steve, on their jogs.  I fancied myself capable, and they were kind enough to indulge me. My Dad, for his bit, had completed the erstwhile running bible by Jim Fixx , and had added the complete Rocky (cue the music) workout wardrobe to his exercise paraphernalia.  Dad was all grey sweats, oatmeal & raw eggs. Committed to personal fitness. I was hooked. Our first jaunt took us outside the Aspen Glen trailer park, down a fairly steep, paved grade, and on to the gravel shoulder of Highway 82 towards Aspen  (more on this in an upcoming post).  I pedaled my stubby legs as hard as they would go in an effort to keep up. Easily distracted by passing traffic, actually afraid I was going to die of a burst lung or at the bumper of an oncoming Chevy Vega , I fell forward - hands out - into the cinders.  The meat grinder of runners and cyclists alike. Barking your han...

I wear Argyle socks almost every single day.  I've done so, off and on, since high school.  Even going to an obnoxious level of wrestling in them...drove Coach Manown and some of my team bananas.  You might say it's  a bit of a personal trademark. As I've grown, personally and professionally, I've become an ardent observer of people.  I adore the human race, in all it's quirkiness.  In my profession, I've noticed that most of my colleagues have habits of dress or accouterments , like personal trademarks, that set them apart from others. They range from Sponge Bob ties, exclusive Polo logos on all shirts, Moleskine notebooks & certain coffee house beverages glued to their desks.  Intriguing to me on so many levels - how have we adopted these traits or habits, such that they've become a part of our public identities? I wonder...what would happen if we were known by our overwhelming demonstration of character traits?  What would t...