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 Charlotte Observer article 
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The Charlotte Observer article brought up some very interesting things. The successful principal Guzman reminded me of what a principal might be in a PLC environment. She was working as a team with her teachers and asking them to work as a team. She also fought with determination for what was right for the students and teachers. Guzman's quote “You've got to have people to buck the system to make it improve." made me thing about the Kozol book. Those schools need people fighting for them to make conditions change.

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Holly McClure


Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:07 pm
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Holly brings up a good point about Guzman working as a teammate along with her staff. I, on the other hand, do not see it as a PLC approach. The article states that "successful principals can't be mass produced...they succeed by bending the rules." My philosophy has fairly recently become...IT'S EASIER TO BEND THAN BREAK! Guzman's attempts at bending the rules have, thus far, proven to be successful. Why encourage and enforce ridiculous mandates that will only hinder the time-on-task for educating our children? Let's not BREAK what works for educating our children by allowing unnecessary tasks to get in the way.

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Michael A. Robbins
robbinsma@appstate.edu


Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:24 am
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The Charlotte Observer article does raise an interesting point. Think of all of the people in Kozol's book that simply didn't "buck the system" because that's the way things had always been done. We learn of general systems theory, in which differing systems work together to provide a students' education, as well as, meet emotional and physical needs. These conditions in Kozol's book, seem to just be part of a continuous vicious cycle and accepted "just cuz". I understand the fear of bucking the system, because we all have our own needs provided for by funding of our salaries. One person may not completely reverse the cycle these kids were in, but I wonder...if one person questioned the precedents..could it have made a difference for just one child?

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Deby R Johnson


Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:04 pm
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As I was reading this article, Principal Guzman reminded me of our principal at ACMS. He is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure the school is as successful as it can possibly be. It is nice knowing that you work for someone who is willing to go to war with you and for you. Unfortunately, it has caused some strife between he and those he answers to. I'm sure Guzman has ran into this as well. With experience comes respect, and it is really hard to argue with success.

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Dustin H. Farmer


Sun Sep 14, 2008 9:14 pm
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This article came to my mind tonight while Dr. Hall was talking about how mandates can be shocking to the senses. I thought that went right along with the article. If we get used to just settling for the status quo we need something to come along and "shock our senses". I think as future school leaders we will face a lot of issues that won't set right with us, but we will let pass by because we don't want to rock the boat so to speak. I can see how principals have a situational dilema because things that are happening just don't seem right deep down inside, but at the same time you are afraid to bite the hand that feeds you.

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Travis Richardson


Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:45 pm
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When I read the article, the quote, "That there may be a few good principals born, but most of them are made," really jumped out at me. After taking the classes that we have had, I realize that this a more accurate statement than I had once thought. There is so much more to this job than appears from the outside. I think that only through experience would one gain some of the leadership skills needed to become an effective principal. I think that trial and error could easily become a great teacher. My own principal told me the other day that she had made the biggest mistake in her career as either an assistant principal or principal. Then she turned around and said, but I think I just learned one of the most valuable lessons that will serve me well in the future.

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Sandra Peterson


Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:12 pm
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