Hot For Teacher. Part II

In my mind, Henry Adair is the definition of principal.  He is a large man.  Not overweight.  LARGE.  Intimidating.  He is a man who is feared.  Not in a bad way, as if his fuse may run short at any minute, but in a good, respectful way. 

Mr. Adair was the last principal I ever had.  Westside High School.  Anderson, SC.  Every year when the new class of freshman arrives to begin high school, Mr. Adair herds them into the gymnasium for a welcoming speech.  The auditorium is full.  Hundreds of students, teachers, and Anderson School District 5 personnel. He stands alone.  Staring down the mass of people.  The address always ends with...

“I’VE BEEN TO VIETNAM AND BACK!  I AIN’T AFRAID OF NOTHING!!  AND IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME, STEP DOWN HERE AND SAY IT TO MY FACE!  I DARE YOU!!

Silence. 

Mr. Adair was our fearless leader.  A gentleman.  Our biggest supporter and advocate.  He cared about us.  He expected great things from us.  He didn’t tolerate anything.  Anything.

Mr. Adair owned that school.

And now that I’m a teacher, I’ve decided it’s all overrated.  The world needs more principals like mine.  Buseok Elementary School is where it’s at. 

We need more principals who are not passive.  Who lead the charge.  Like when we have a dinner for all the teachers.  My principal is the first one to order Soju (19.3% Korean liquor).  He pours shots with a passion.  He won’t rest until every teacher around the table has emptied his or her glass.

We need more principals who support the arts.  Like when he’s had his fair share of alcohol and informs everyone that the party will now proceed to the karaoke bar down the street.  He is always encouraging when we express ourselves through song.  And when we don’t want to, our glass is filled.  Again.

We need more principals who are responsible.  Like last December when we had a holiday faculty party at school.  There was too much beer and Soju to count.  At school.  But my principal set the example by catching a ride to school with a teacher, probably in his mid 20’s, because he knew he would be unable to drive a car when he left at 9 o’clock that night. 

We need more principals who set a healthy example for the students.  Like when my principal smokes a pack a day in the courtyard between the administration building and the classrooms. 

We need more principals who teach us how to be a gentleman.  Like when he (a married man with children who are married) flirts with the new 24 year old kindergarten teacher.  He visits her classroom almost everyday.  He opens the door.  He offers her a ride home.  He smiles at her.  He talks to her every chance he gets.  He's like a high school boy with a crush.  He's smitten.

Yes, the world needs more principals like mine.

He's one of a kind.  

                    I hope.