An Open Letter to BHS Principal Yolanda Jordan

Good morning, Ms. Jordan.

First, please let me be among the many people who have probably congratulated you on your recent appointment as Principal of Bolingbrook High School starting in the fall.  As a veteran high school teacher myself, I always applaud the appointment of an administrator who has classroom experience in a core subject (in your case, Science) and, while advanced degrees are pretty and nice, that daily classroom experience “in the trenches” with students is what all administrators should bring to their positions.

I know there are quite a few naysayers within the community right now, noting that you have big shoes to fill.  But you were put in a difficult situation right from the start, and coming in as interim principal mid-semester and attempting to establish a presence among almost 4,000 students in so short a time is daunting to say the least.  I feel for you.

But having been in the field of education for twenty-five years and, in the past two years, having watched matters unfold in VVSD the way they have, please allow me to offer a few suggestions as you use these summer months to plan your course of action for the upcoming school year:

1.       Listen to your teachers.  I mean, really listen.  Administrative barking from the main building is easiest to hear because it’s loud and incessant.  Your teachers won’t bark – but they will have a truer read on the pulse of what works with students and what doesn’t, and don’t let the barking administrators and board members (with their stats and spreadsheets and articles galore) convince you otherwise.  Listen to your teachers.  Trust me on this.

2.       Talk to parents and students.  A LOT!  Administrators, as you know, are notorious paper-pushers who remain safely within the confines of their offices, emerging only on certain dates (e.g., Homecoming, Parent Open House, etc.) to make their obligatory public appearance before returning to the shadows.  Don’t be *that* administrator.  Visit classrooms regularly, walk hallways consistently, be visible to every student throughout the school year.  Likewise, invite genuine dialogue with parents, and demonstrate that you care about their children by being a visible presence every day -- *that* will earn their respect.  Again, gotta trust me on this.

3.       “Keep the students first.”  Yeah, I know we all do this anyways, but let’s be honest: it has sadly become one of those trite phrases that administrators often hide behind because it’s an appealing (and appeasing) media soundbite.  What I really mean is this:  when you go to bed at night, ask yourself if what you did that day administratively … educationally … financially … legally … morally … benefitted ALL the students at BHS.  Not just a socio-economic subgroup, not just a spurned athlete, not just a Board member’s child, but ALL students in your daily charge.  Unfortunately, to do this will require that certain folks in top district positions (and an occasional whiny parent or two) will have to be told “No” once in a while.  Are you prepared to do that?  A community of parents certainly hopes so.

I am sure other stakeholders will have additional suggestions to offer you as you begin the school year, but I will leave it there:  three suggestions.  I wish you the best in your upcoming school year.  The eyes (and hopes) of many students, teachers, and parents are resting with you.  Sleep well.

Respectfully,

Tim Strzechowski
Bolingbrook Resident and BHS Parent