After having taught young children in elementary school for 18 years, I had the opportunity to become a principal of a K-2 primary school and it is the most delightful job that anyone could have.
What other job offers the opportunity and challenge to work with such three distinct groups of people: children, teachers and parents? My first love is for those beautiful children with which I am in contact constantly. There is not a more wonderful group with which to work than five, six, and seven year old boys and girls. One of the greatest joys is to open the car doors each day and greet each other with hugs, joys, and sometimes tears. They always have stories to tell and are always so glad to see me. What other profession starts their day with such an experience!
Another group with which I work is the teachers. I am a people person and I love standing in the office each morning and have them come by and share with me what is happening in their lives. Here again, I hear their concerns and celebrations and I trust that each day, I can give them some encouragement as they face the day with these little ones. I taught first and second grade for 18 years and I know many of the things they will encounter as they teach these little ones reading, writing, and math, as well as all of the other things that an elementary teacher has to be for their students. I will always be a teacher at heart.
Once chalk dust gets in the veins, it is always there. As a principal, I never want to forget what it is to be a teacher. I feel that this makes me an effective leader.
The third group that I have the privilege to work with are the parents.
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Celebrating the 100th day of school-first grade class writes 100 reasons they lobe the principal
Working with this age child brings me in touch with many parents. The majority of parents of this age want to be involved and want to know what is going on in their children's education. They are excited about the smallest event that is taking place at school and want to be of support to the programs. I also find myself being a counselor to these young parents. Having children and now grandchildren of my own, I have been where they are and they may seek me out for advice. We have a wonderful volunteer program here at Yates Primary and I am so appreciative of these young parents who want to come and support their child and the school by helping in whatever way they can.
Being an educator in the 21st century is not the easiest job in the world, but it has to be the most rewarding. Seeing that light come on in the eyes of a child when they finally learn to read, watching that teacher smile with delight when Susie reads that first sentence and sharing in the joy of the parent when Johnny runs to the car with his book and says "Mommy, I can read!" This is worth more than money can buy.
I have the best of all worlds in this job of mine! Children, teachers, and parents! What other profession offers this opportunity to help change the world? I love my job!!!!
Carolyn Ingram
Principal
Yates Primary
Cleveland, Tennessee
