A COUPLE WEEKS ago, P brought my attention to this delightful feel good story buried in the back of the sports section of the Gleaner. I chastise the Old Lady of North Street for doing such an injustice while subjecting front page readers to non debates by asinine politicians and other worthless private sector honchos and public figures.
What was the story about? Well, it was a short, but extremely, inspiring piece about a recently upgraded school - Anchovy High, and the coming to fruition of the vision of its principal. A principal who set a target and goal for new standards of achievement for his students - he shared his dream with his students and staff - dangled a carrot for the achievement of the goal and today they all see the results.
In many ways, it was a story about true leadership and the application of a theory, to a vision, to reality. At a time when leadership is sadly lacking in our society, and even more so in education, it was heartening to read this simple, yet profound, story about one principal's dream.
You know, had this been a story from one of the established high schools, especially one from the so-called city, it would not have escaped the front pages of the papers or the top news spots of the other media houses. Snobbery, oh snobbery, and prejudice in Jamaica are going to be the death of us!
But, it was the gem of leadership, vision and inspiration from the principal of Anchovy High that made that story stand out in our minds. The principal, Dr. Walton Small, said he wanted his graduates to achieve at least four subject passes in their final exams and the successful students would be feted.
A simple target it might seem to many, but it is the aspirations and dreams of individuals that change institutions, communities and societies. It is not the moaners and brain dead critics or policy makers who make changes. It is the 'on the ground' leaders who are willing to put substance behind their words. People who put forth achievable goals for people to strive for and inject feel good rewards when the goals are achieved.
Dr. Walton Small is my little hero for last month and P and I hope that someone has given him the props to make him know that what he has done is recognised the direction in which we should all be going.
P and I hope that there is a myriad of similar tales out there about school leaders who are silently inspiring their flock to higher points of achievement each year. If there are more of these types of stories out there that are yet to be told, well 'fire' for the media who should be hunting them down and letting the public know about the small, but important, victories that are happening in the beleaguered education sector.
If Dr. Small's triumph is a lone star in a very dark night, then 'fire' for the education administrators who must strive to be better leaders.
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