Cecilia

As the principal of a Pre-K through 8th grade school, my favorite time of the day was the early morning. I enjoyed an uninterrupted cup of coffee and the sunrise; and I reviewed my preparations for the day. My first task of the day was always the most important. Each morning I greeted the students as they arrived at school. At the beginning of the school year, my goal was to learn every child’s full name within the first week. This was a significant task during my first year as principal, but certainly worth it. Each subsequent school year, I needed only a few days to learn the new incoming students; or I had learned their names through the application process.

At my school in Seattle, the building’s single entrance, located adjacent to the parking lot, made it easy for me to greet all students, and many of the parents as well. On the first day of school, Cecilia, a new first grade student whose family relocated from Southern California, came running towards the gate. Her mother followed behind trying to keep pace with her daughter.

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As it often happens in Seattle, light rain was falling, “Good morning Cecilia. Welcome to school on this beautiful morning,” I said.

As she ran past me she said, “It’s raining! Where’s your umbrella?”

“I’m enjoying God’s gift of liquid sunshine,” I said.

Cecilia stopped, turned towards me, and said, “But aren’t you going to get wet?” Before I could answer her she said, “And how did you know my name?”

“It’s the most important requirement of being a principal,” I said.

Each morning Cecilia never changed her routine. She enjoyed running to the entrance, and each day, eagerly responded to my greeting as she ran past. However, one morning later in the school year, Cecilia changed her routine. She came running towards me as usual, and as I said, “Good morning Cecilia” she came to an abrupt halt. She was squinting as she looked up at me as if something was wrong.

“What! No tie today Mr. Stewart?” she said.

“Wearing a tie is not a requirement,” I said.

“Well it should be,” she said.

Before I could respond, she added, “Then you would look like a principal.”

Students always made me smile.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

–Leo Buscaglia (1924-1998) American author, professor, and motivational speaker

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