The Best Principal You’ve Ever Known
Tell Me About . . .
Getting Wiser—and Softer
I work with Brad Latzke, an incredible middle
school principal at the Shanghai American
School in China. Mr. Latzke says that as he
gets wiser, he gets softer. Recently, one of his
teachers got the green light to adopt a child
from Africa after waiting for years and suffering
through many disappointments. The teacher had
to take leave multiple times to go and sign the
paperwork and then spend time in the United
States before coming back to her teaching job in
China. Mr. Latzke not only ensured that she got
the time off, but also allowed another teacher in
his division to travel with her. Mr. Latzke has
been a leader in supporting the family and col
laborating with staff to ensure that her duties are
covered while she is gone. The entire school has
gone through this experience together; the staff
feels as though they are all adopting this child.
—Debbie Lane, elementary principal,
Puxi Campus, Shanghai American School,
Shanghai, China
The Nose Flare
The “nose flare” was an artful technique of disap
proval that principal Howard Williams pulled
off with conviction. As a new assistant principal
studying his every move, I would practice that
technique. Conversely, his warm heart and
willingness to freely give hugs or a deep belly
laugh was infectious. I am proud to say I am very
adept at the nose flare now: Without my saying
a word, kids perceive my displeasure. Better yet,
I am a confident hugger, and the love I feel for
the students in my school makes my job a true
joy. Mr. Williams is a direct contributor to the
passion I am fortunate to live day in and day out.
—Lori Perez, principal,
The Classical Academies, Vista, California
Someone Who Cares
Nadia Hionides of the Foundation Academy is
disorganized, highly impulsive, never on time,
and rarely follows a set schedule. She is dis
organized because she will never say no to doing
good, and there is too much good to be done.
She is impulsive because if she thought too long
about paying a family’s rent for the year, she
would realize it’s not in her budget. When she’s
not on time, it’s probably because she is picking
up a student on the other side of town so that
student won’t miss school. She doesn’t follow
a schedule because hunger doesn’t, and there
is always a kid who needs a meal. As much as
she cares about education, she cares about lives
more. She is a servant—and the best principal
I’ve ever known.
—Madaline Hill, music teacher,
The Foundation Academy, Jacksonville, Florida
An Elmo Suit
Here are three things that made Marilyn Prall
(now retired) the most memorable elementary
school principal I ever worked with. First, she
found any opportunity she could to wear her
Elmo suit. The kids loved her for it. Second,
she held her teachers accountable for student
achievement. I used to joke that she was like
a ninja walking in and out of classrooms: You
never heard her come in; she was just there.
Third, she was kind yet firm. She would support
her teachers in public and save any reprimands
for private. I was lucky to have the opportunity
to work with her and learn from her.
—Virginia Loh-Hagan, professor,
Ashford University, San Diego, California
Focused on Helping Students
Innovative, compassionate, respected, and a
visionary—these words describe my principal,
Brent Cudly. Mr. Cudly is constantly asking
us, “What can we do together to improve our
school, our classrooms, and our students’
learning?” When it comes to individual students,
we are encouraged to ask not, “How can I stop
this student from causing so many problems?”
but rather, “What can I do to help this student
