The document summarizes the keynote speech of Clarence Johnson, a guest lecturer, at Prairie View A&M University. Some of the main points from his speech included establishing open communication, knowing school policies and rules, being visible on campus through daily walkthroughs, listening to teachers, students and parents, having a positive attitude towards students, and showing love for students. The document also includes positive feedback from students who attended the speech, praising Mr. Johnson for being an inspirational speaker who motivated them to work hard and make a difference for students.

1. PRINCIPALSHIP: HELPFUL HINTS IN LEADERSHIP Prairie View A& M University Northwest Center, Room 2 February 27, 2007 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM Dr. William Kritsonis, Professor

2. Clarence Johnson invited Guest Lecturer, Prairie View A&M University Class – ADMN 5003 Fundamentals of School Administration invited by Dr. William Allan Kritsonis, Professor, PhD Program in Educational Leadership, Prairie View A&M University / Member of the Texas A&M University, Spring 2007

3. FIND A COMFORT COMMUNICATION ZONE AND STAY IN IT Use appropriate language Profanity is unacceptable Racial comments are illegal, unjust, and immoral (on and off the record) Do not accept the heat Display an adequate offense Hate is always tragic. It is as injurious to the hater as it is to the hated. It distorts the personality and scars the soul….Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) Civil rights leader

4. KNOW THE LAWS AND RULES THAT GOVERN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT Read the policies Conduct meetings with campus leaders on policies Follow the rules Challenging the rules could have contract implications

5. ARRIVE EARLY AND STAY LATE Manage by wandering around Check the grounds twice weekly Greet staff, students, and parents daily Give positive comments as departure reminders Develop a paperwork time

6. WALK THE BEAT DAILY Look for trouble Find positive “got-cha” for future praise (newsletter) Be the heartbeat for the campus Show that you care Give students and teachers your smile

7. ESTABLISH WEEKLY BULLETINS AND COMMUNICATIONS You are appreciated – “say it” and “write it” Ice cream and cookies on Fridays Small gifts at Christmas Calendar with birthdays and celebrations Read for tips and reminders Dine with custodians, teachers, and cafeteria personnel

8. LISTEN TO YOUR TEACHERS LISTEN TO YOUR STUDENTS LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS Keep notes Defend justice Open doors – inside and parking lot Be visible in the am and pm Visit with students – GT, Special Needs, Athletes, Males, Females, Band, FFA, Regular Students and At-Risk Students

9. KNOW YOUR STUDENTS: CJ’S TIPS FOR EARLY INTERVENTION WITH HOMELESS CHILDREN The first seven seconds we have with students have immediate as well as lasting effects The words you speak echo forever Positive attitude is everything Create a window of opportunity

10. ATTEMPT THE IMPOSSIBLE: DEAL WITH TRUANCY AND HOMELESS CHILDREN WITH AN AGGRESSIVE AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE Drop out – 7 year overview 1991 22.6% 1992 29.5% 1993 10.17% 1994 07.80% 1995 00.70% 1996 02.10% 1997 00.00% ACE / CARVER HIGH SCHOOL

11. KEEP PERMANENT SECRETS Be a counselor Leave the office area and discuss issues Watch for givers and takers Be a giver Visit with the total staff

12. DISCUSS ONLY POSITIVE INCIDENTS ABOUT CAMPUS AND PERSONNEL Defend your test scores – positive comments Defend your teachers – “with another year, she will be outstanding” Praise your students Challenge all negative comments Give facts about your school and school district

13. COMMENTS You have changed my life!! I really appreciated your lecture on Tuesday. Your experiences are extensive and very admirable. I especially liked what you said about “never arriving”. Most people do their things in life that they want to do and then they feel like they are on the highest mountain( they arrived). Theoretically they had because of their own accomplishments, but most “feel” that they have arrived without any motivation to still “Love kids”. I too love my kids Mr. Johnson and until I met you that day I felt as if my Love would be going in vain due to the societal influences and the disconnection of today’s youth with the important past of minorities. The youth today are troubled with influences that they do not understand but are influenced in multitudes by the negative forces of life and they are disconnecting from reality. It is as if they are born in a depression and it grows worse as they reach higher numbers in years. As you stated in class that day, they are disconnecting themselves from nature. That cease in connectivity means that soon and very soon the positive culture of students that used to exist at least partially, will continue to crumble in areas of weakness.

14. COMMENTS I am from a small town in California called Vallejo. Vallejo, Oakland and the entire Bay Area for that matter is another Acres home by the education the demographics. I have always wanted to make an impact on my own city but when I tried it there in California, I had gotten so frustrated because other Teachers nor the principals shared my energy toward youth development. I tried to lead by example but my examples were demeaned, ridiculed and not supported. While so many before me were ridiculed they and you still had the perseverance and the intestinal fortitude to continue despite opposition. The reason that I was so frustrated is because by my trying to lead by example was not enough and in California, there weren’t any examples to follow. Martin Luther King and all the other great activists and advocates have done what they needed to do but the youth do not have the knowledge required to appreciate his accomplishments or even the great accomplishments that you have made. I lost my energy to provide what I had started out to do, which was to teach, so I moved to Houston, TX to give it another shot.

15. I am a Spanish Teacher so my influences are limited to a language. I try to connect the language with the cultures of multiple Spanish speaking countries, our countries culture and any other culture that may arise and when doing so I also incorporate the civil accomplishments of great individuals. As I said earlier, I WAS discouraged because of various things but you brought me energy again. An accomplished man who did all of his works in one community and made an impact based off of a simple yet very important idea. “Love the children” “Love the children” “Love the children” “Love the children”. As I say these words, I am encouraged to do better as a person, a teacher and a professional. I am encouraged to return to Vallejo but not without all of my weapons (experiences and education). I have decided that at all costs, I must be THE BEST Educator and activist that I possibly can because I MUST BRIDGE THE GAP. If I do not then who will?? COMMENTS

16. COMMENTS IF that means that I will need to get a certification in history, math and science, it is detrimental that I do so. I have lost too many good friends because their teachers, one of the most important people in their lives, did not love them enough to go the extra miles required as their profession actually mandates. You mentioned “trained” teachers. A trained teacher will go the extra miles to save a community where they realize saving is needed. Too many of us (teachers & parents) have thrown their hands up because of the adversity that we face in the classrooms and in the community. I WAS one of those Teachers but you were moved into my life because I needed to see a Man that has an undying belief that kids can learn and had showed it through his accomplishments. MR. JOHNSON, YOU HAVE GAVE ME INSPIRATION TO BETTER MYSELF SO THAT I CAN ADD BETTERMENT TO THE CHILDREN. Form now on I WILL BE ONE OFTHE MUCH NEEDED BRIDGES TO ELIMINATE THE GAP OF IGNORANCE.

17. I will not be able to touch everyone in the world but the ones that are in my world, I will affect them only positively. I thank you so much for taking time out to come to our class and for taking time to “work for free” for the betterment of the world. I am in class now and I must get back to the tasks at hand but I NEEDED you to know what you did for me. Maurice Bell Mr. C. Johnson, Thank you for your presentation on Tuesday night. You are a wonderful speaker and can appreciate reality. I enjoyed hearing about your Experiences and learning from your wealth of knowledge. Congratulations on your successes and I look forward to seeing/hearing about your bright future. Thank you, Whitney O'Neal COMMENTS

18. I just wanted to take the time to let you know how much I really enjoyed you coming in on last night and speaking with us about loving the kids. It was very informative and I will take that information and make sure I put in that extra time, hard work, the gold, effort and most important love the kids, Im going to carry this throughout my life. Thanks so much and I am honored to have met you. Have a Wonderful Day and rest of the years to come. Ms. Tiffany Johnson It was such a pleasure last night for you to share your past experiences with us! I’m happy that people can stand and truly say that hard work pays off. This will be my third year teaching and I’m learning things daily. My experiences this year has taught me how not to treat my faculty! I would like to know if I could contact you in the future if I have any questions about my career. I was the young lady wearing the mint green shirt. Thanks, S. Holmes COMMENTS

19. I really enjoyed your presentation last night and appreciate you coming to our class and speaking. Thank you again. Sincerely, Kevin Firebaugh P.E. Dept. Mittelstadt Elementary 832-484-6739 Mr. Johnson's presentation was very informative. Thank you for introducing him to the class. I hope to one day follow in his footsteps. Arleita Evans COMMENTS

20. COMMENTS Thank you so much! Mr. Johnson was an amazing speaker and I learned a lot of valuable information. Thanks again!! Rhonda Smith Special Education--Team Leader Cypress Woods High School Thank you so much for presenting to our class on Tuesday night. Your presentation was inspirational and it motivated me. Once again, thank you. Roshunda Jones, Director Carver High School Theatre 2100 S. Victory Houston, TX 77088

21. Prospective Dr. C. Johnson, Bless you for the moving presentation on last night in Dr. Kritsonis's administration class. I am truly motivated. I have been teaching for 11 years. Your words mimic my actions and aspirations. I, too, love my kids. Although I have not given out "gold". I have combed hair; supplied other toiletries; privately discussed hygiene issues; encouraged discouraged parents;and accompanied a student on the maternity ward. I believe that I have the gift of motivation. Like you, the evidence of my years of labor often surfaces years later. I have been contacted by previous students over the years. Those contacts range from e- mails, graduation invitations, and phone calls to nominations for teacher excellence. Although the money doesn't do the profession justice, I am compensated in other ways. Again, bless you for encouraging me! Roshanda Griffin 5th Grade Mathematics Stehlik Intermediate School Aldine ISD COMMENTS