The Right of the Individual vs those of the School Community - A Case Study: An Elementary School Principal’s Dilemma

Al Lewis was the newly appointed principal of a kindergarten to grade five elementary school. The school was located in an urban city. It was in a middle class neighbourhood with a mix of newer and older homes. Parents were involved in their children’s education. Teaching and support staff ages ranged from late twenties to late fifties. Teaching experience ranged from relatively new to the profession to a few years until retirement. Other than the few new teachers who were on temporary assignments, the majority had taught at the school for five or more years. Several teachers had been there for 10 or more years. Al was excited and nervous as he embarked upon this latest leadership journey. His previous administrative experience consisted of six years as an elementary vice-principal and two years as an elementary principal in two different school districts. Al knew that coming to new a school community would involve a lot of listening and observing. More importantly, it was a time to get a sense for the school’s “culture”, build trust and nurture relationships. (Note to reader: This case is based on an actual dilemma. Names have been changed to protect confidentiality and identities of those involved. In addition, some of the details have been changed.