The Hero of the Hallways

One morning I came across an inspirational story in the “Readers Digest” May 2013 issue about an extraordinary principal accepting his position at a struggling (academically, attendance & behavior) middle school in New York.  I was impressed with his commitment, dedication to his students, teachers and parents – he came to this school with an “I can” attitude, vision and high expectations. 

 

One of the reasons it shone so brightly was because of the recent cheating scandal here in Georgia that drew national attention; the former superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools was among 35 educators [principals, teachers and testing coordinators] indicted by a national grand jury to face charges including racketeering, theft by taking and making false statements about their roles in an alleged plot to falsify students standardized tests.  

 

This principal could’ve easily taken the same cheating turn, but thank goodness he didn’t.  I’ve attempted not to be judgmental; but I just for the life of me can’t understand what could possess educators from the lineage of people denied the opportunity to read, write not long in our distant past to do such a thing? Were they overwhelmed with fear, workload, lost their vision, love of teaching, blinded by the bonuses?  Did they forget their moral responsibility to self and their profession? All praises to the creator, we have so many awesome educators all over this country and world stepping up, giving and bringing the best out of our beautiful children!!!

 

Our children are eager to learn and share that knowledge, let’s provide the support, guidance, integrity and love they’ll need to become anything they want to!

- Denise Lee-Hinds

The Hero of the Hallways 

One Principal Holds Strong, even through a Hurricane

When Shawn Rux’s friends and family heard that he was taking the top position at struggling Middle School 53 in Far Rockaway, New York, they asked him the same question: Are you crazy?

Rux wasn’t sure how to answer: He was given just three days to prepare for the job of principal in August 2011. During the previous school year, average student attendance at M.S. 53 was among the lowest in the city, 280 of 450 students were suspended, and 22 teachers quit.

Rux knew he’d made the right move, though, when 14 months later, Hurricane Sandy forced the students to relocate and they still scored an 88 percent attendance record for the year. 

To boost attendance at M.S. 53, he’d created an incentive program: Each morning, a raffle ticket was offered to each student who came to school. At the end of the month, the winner received a prize such as an Xbox or an iPod. Attendance increased almost immediately. 

“Why not reward them for doing the right thing?” says Rux, 38. 

He and his students also founded SWAGGER (Students Who Achieve Good Grades Earn Respect), a program that allows them to earn “Rux Bux” for good grades, behavior, and attendance. Kids can use Rux Bux to buys school supplies or play Rux one-on-one in basketball. 

Now, Rux says, “When I think about the story I can tell about M.S. 53 in a few years, I smile. 

Caitlin O’Connell……From Readers Digest May 2013