New attitudes

Leadership, May-June, 2002 by Margaret Hill

In addressing the concerns of students and the need of administrators to achieve success, I submit the following suggestions:

* Greet students with a warm smile each day and refer to them by name. Often students do not get this recognition anyplace else.

* When students look depressed, exhibit concern by asking them what is wrong and inviting them into your office to discuss their concerns. This could be a time to use outside resources or other staff members in order to resolve a potential dilemma.

* Let students know you are human too. It is all right to ask them for a chip or a cookie, or maybe talk about a movie or a sports event.

* Allow students to provide their own punishment at times for specific discipline problems. You will find that they are often harder on themselves than we are.

* Tell students some of the things you did in high school that were not very popular or wise. They like hearing that you have been there, done that.

* Attend the dances, prom and grad night. Students really appreciate when you become "one of them."

* Take students to lunch. Some people assume that students eat out often. This is usually not the case.

* Take a walk on the track with a student. You'll be amazed at what you might learn.

* Never play "I gotcha" with students. Let them know up front what the rules are and what the consequences are If they choose to break the rules.