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In the early years of my
assistant principal ship I had much to learn, but I
knew the power of doing the "right thing," even if it deviated somewhat from
printed handbooks. The purpose of "rules" should be the operation of a good
AND caring school. The goal of education should be to change lives!
One day a teen student was sent to me who had broken a minor rule, but
still a rule. As I was about to assign her to some appropriate penalty, such
as detention, she angrily murmured that she never "got a break."
I asked, "You have never gotten a break?"
"NO!"
I believe that she was being truthful. I quickly recalled the many "breaks"
which I had received in life.
I tore up the paper on my desk. "OK, now you have your break. Here's your
pass."
She stood in a type of shock.
Then she quietly left. Very quietly.
She now had her "break".
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The reader may decide whether that break, or a detention, would have done
more
to change a life for the better. Forever. |
