Hog Heaven: A Test of Faith - handling by school administrator of criticism resulting from science fair incident

School Administrator, Nov, 2000 by Thomas W. Harvey Jr.

I never read another letter about the hog. I did see the enormous mounds of mail and the staff responding to calls and letters. Moffett and the central office moved this mountain out of the way and gave me the opportunity to do my job.

Several days after my attempt to resign, I was again in a meeting with the superintendent. She brought up the subject. She said that as professionals, trials are often attached to one's sleeve like stripes in the military, likening them to badges of honor, a sign of success. "You'll be a better leader by having dealt with the Woodville pig," she said. We both laughed. But she was right.

Quitting would have been the easy way out. I had to be reminded to keep my eyes on the mountains right in front of me--the vision and the goals set by the school district and by me--and to keep pedaling. Enduring the present would allow for future success. This set of tragic circumstances was merely a test. While others in education may endure greater obstacles, this was my test of faith, my test of preparation, my test of tenacity, my tour de faith.

Thomas Harvey, who served as principal of Woodville High School for seven years, is superintendent of Sabine Pass Independent School District.