Principal: Kids are Kids, Despite Changing Pressures

Randall Booker, principal of , has had an impact on hundreds of students and their families. He says the small size of the school district, the collaborative nature of the community and the town’s emphasis on family life make his job easier, richer and more productive.

Did you always know you would be a high school principal? I’ve always enjoyed working with kids. All through high school and college—I didn’t know I’d be an administrator—teaching called to me. After I graduated from St. Mary’s College, I enrolled in the credential program.

I was teaching and coaching when an opportunity presented itself to be an assistant principal. I saw I could continue to work with kids—especially kids in need of extra support. That allowed me to work with families. And to have an impact, you have to work with families.

Did moving into administration from teaching require a big adjustment? The piece that took adjustment was the need to have fierce conversations. Conversations with kids are quite different than conversations with families. A fierce conversation is an honest conversation, one with integrity. This is a difficult conversation but a needed one; a conversation where I might expose some things that might not be comfortable. But collaboration sometimes requires that.

That’s quite a talent. It’s a skill, a developed skill. It takes practice.

How is it working in a small school district? It’s the best. I don’t see myself working in a large school district. I like having a direct conversation with my superintendent. I’m not a fan of big school districts.

What do you enjoy about working in Piedmont? I have a seat at the table. I get to sit around the community table and talk about how we best serve kids. The people at that table are intelligent, passionate and compassionate people, so it is quite a privilege to have a seat there.

I like the community collaboration. When there’s an issue, I can get on the phone and people get involved. For instance, we just had Career Day. I had over 70 adults volunteering on this campus. It was amazing!

Have you seen changes take place in teens since you got into this field? No. Kids are kids. I see a difference in the pressures that are placed on them. College admittance has really ramped up. The pressure to perform in so many areas of their lives, not just academically, has intensified. But kids are kids, and that is true even from district to district.

Given all that, how would you advise parents, generally speaking? Back off? No! The more involved they are the better. I would tell them to be involved, to talk to their kids. Don’t give up, even when they push you away.

Should all kids go onto college? I wouldn’t cast this as “should” or “shouldn’t.” About 95 percent of our kids are college-bound. There are kids who choose not to go to college appropriately. If they’re not ready, it is appropriate for them not to go. Readiness has a lot to do with it.

What do you do when you’re not working? Kid stuff! I have two children, ages 8 and 10, and a beautiful wife. They are my life. We play Uno, cards — a lot of Legos.