Electronic mentoring: three school leaders across upstate New York advise each other through e-mail

School Administrator, Nov, 2003 by Paul Riede

"I usually do not eat with the teachers. I feel that the faculty lunchroom, in general, is a very negative place. They use the space to vent and bad-mouth administration. I will eat there when invited and invariably I will hear some sarcastic remarks. Teachers have a low comfort level when they are together as teachers."

Hauber: "I was sitting here eating my PB and J sandwich, drinking my nonfat milk (no joke) reading my e-mail when I read Jim's note describing exactly what I was doing! I was thinking that all really cool principals must do that and then read Steve's note regarding the three-course cafeteria meal. I walk through the cafeteria every day to buy my milk, but have never eaten there. I think that it's probably very good advice, so I will watch rite menu to find something I can tolerate. (The cafeteria food is one of my concerns--they serve a tot of french fries and ham. burgers, reminds me of a Burger King without the extras.) I enjoy eating in the teachers' lounge now and then. They seem to enjoy it and make me feel very welcome."

--Paul Riede

Paul Riede is an education writer with The Post-Standard in Syracuse, N.Y. E-mail: hoffried@ twcny.rr.com