Creating a Caring School Environment

This paper presents findings of a study that explored how staff and parents experienced one school's environment, particularly, the relati'onship between the principal's caring leadership and the school's environment. The Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Center in Peoria, Illinois, served preprimary and primary grades. Seventy-five percent of the students were from low-income families. Data were obtained through observations, interviews with 61 staff members and 40 parents, and a survey of staff members. The words most frequently used by staff and parents to describe the school environment included "caring, " "like a family, " "warm," "nurturing, " "challenging, " "and "unique. " The principal treated every person equally and with respect; did not limit himself or anyone else to a role; prioritized his time for sustaining relationships; supported and encouraged others as persons an