50p
A Principled Principal
Students and faculty were treated today to an inspiring talk from Principal El, renowned teacher, administrator and motivational speaker. He wove a story that told of his background as one of eight children, raised by a single mother, together with his career as an educator in some of Philadelphia’s most challenging, inner-city schools.
Using chess as a means to lift student aspirations and belief in their own potential, he has had a tremendous impact on many lives and, as a Principal of several schools, he has left a legacy of student achievement in terms of National Chess Championships, high standardized test results and acceptance into post-secondary education. A much sought-after public speaker, Principal El gave the keynote address at the National Independent Schools Conference in Philadelphia this year that Mr. Collis and Mr. Wardrop both attended. They, like the other 5000 in the audience, were mesmerized by the message he gave and the experiences he related.
Our students today were equally touched and inspired and many wanted to stay and talk with him after the presentation. Later he gave an additional talk to staff and again left a lasting impression, speaking of the power we all have to influence lives for the better and of the importance of giving back.
For those who missed the talk, there will be an archived version available on our Brentwood Youtube space in the next few days. His web page provides more background to his work,
http://principalel.com/ and he can be “followed” on twitter @Principal_EL
We hope this is the beginning of a relationship between our schools and will look forward to a promised return visit when some of the Principal’s students may accompany him.
Mr. Dave McCarthy, Director of Academics
Using chess as a means to lift student aspirations and belief in their own potential, he has had a tremendous impact on many lives and, as a Principal of several schools, he has left a legacy of student achievement in terms of National Chess Championships, high standardized test results and acceptance into post-secondary education. A much sought-after public speaker, Principal El gave the keynote address at the National Independent Schools Conference in Philadelphia this year that Mr. Collis and Mr. Wardrop both attended. They, like the other 5000 in the audience, were mesmerized by the message he gave and the experiences he related.
Our students today were equally touched and inspired and many wanted to stay and talk with him after the presentation. Later he gave an additional talk to staff and again left a lasting impression, speaking of the power we all have to influence lives for the better and of the importance of giving back.
For those who missed the talk, there will be an archived version available on our Brentwood Youtube space in the next few days. His web page provides more background to his work,
http://principalel.com/ and he can be “followed” on twitter @Principal_EL
We hope this is the beginning of a relationship between our schools and will look forward to a promised return visit when some of the Principal’s students may accompany him.
Mr. Dave McCarthy, Director of Academics