Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology

GRADUATE SCHOOL
Nagtahan Sampaloc, Manila

Doctor of Education Major in Educational Management

Saturday/10:00 – 1:00
Dr. Eric C. Mendoza
Niña Blanca N. Salvadora

THE PRINCIPAL CHANGES SOME VALUED RULES

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Educational administrators oversee the day-to-day functions of schools at every

level. They provide leadership in times of crisis and layout optimistic visions for the
future of the educational institution they serve. In order to do so, communication is a
must. Judging the situation through one-sided will bring more chaos. Thus, as assistant
superintendent, this matter must be resolved between the principal and the teachers
only. The teachers are questioning the principal’s vision that in truth benefit the students
who are the top priority. If there are changes that teachers thought are wrong, raise
them to the principal so as to meet a common ground. If the principal stayed blind with
the situation in Holmes Elementary School, will the teachers do something? It seemed
they are already contented of the school’s performance and they don’t want to exert
effort. Yes, they have been following the culture or it is the culture of the school,
however, a positive culture is more important. In short, discuss the matter together.

1. I believe that being a dictator means ruling an institution with authority and in a
cruel or brutal way. In Mr. Lattimore’s case, I can say that he is being dictatorial
not in a brutal way rather in a forceful and unfair way. As a leader/principal, there
are many changes to be implemented because there are issues/conflicts that
need immediate attention. However, these must be thoroughly discussed – its
reasons and desired results and majority must agree with the changes. Mr.
Lattimore carried out the changes without a meaningful participation from his
subordinates that resulted to a petition for his removal.

2. The changes that Mr. Lattimore wanted to execute will benefit not only him as a
principal but most importantly the teachers and the students. Unfortunately, he
did not follow the protocol of democracy wherein everyone has the right to
express their thoughts and the right to decide or vote. According to Porterfield
and Carnes (2009), the role of the principal is considered as “agents of change”
who facilitate the process of institutional reforms and curriculum developments.
 If I were the principal, I will develop a vision and strategy and then communicate
the change vision. Teachers must understand that these changes contribute to a
long-term result to strengthen their practice and most importantly, to make a
difference for the students. I must effectively communicate to help the
stakeholders that the efforts are not just a thing that will come and go, rather a
new way of thinking and vision for the school. A successful communication and
change plan should not only be in print materials, I must make sure the
stakeholders be engaged through a survey, focus group, forums and the likes so
that they will believe that it’s worth it. In addition, reforms are institutionalized and
are never about a single person. The principal together with the students,
teachers and parents must be engaged as partners so as to see and achieve the
100% support and desired result. Thus working together is better than working
alone.

3. I disagree to the matter of reassigning the principal is the answer to the problem.
A principal meant no harm for the school and that includes the students and
teachers’ welfare. What Mr. Lattimore had done is already a big step towards the
betterment. It just simply means that reassigning the principal is giving up on the
desired goals. There might be other alternatives that the higher ups can think of
to solve the conflict.
4. One way to discipline the students are through a corporal punishment or if it was
a major offense, suspension. A corporal punishment refers to a kind of
punishment or penalty imposed for an alleged or actual offense, which is carried
out or inflicted, for the purpose of discipline, training or control, by a teacher,
school administrator, an adult, or responsibility for punishment or discipline
(DepED Order No. 40, s. 2012). I agree with Mr. Lattimore that corporal
punishment and suspension is highly damaging, and can lead to violent behavior,
low self-esteem and problems with academic performance. The negative
reinforcement often serves as a form of punishment, and it is used to punish
behavior. When the behavior management strategies are instituted inconsistently,
they’re especially likely to fail.

5. Serious troubled students are one of the biggest problems facing teachers in
public schools today. Troubled or not, they have the right to education. They have
the right to express themselves through their behavior and opinions. They have
the right to school rules and consequences that are fair to everyone. And they
have the right to an equal educational opportunity which means meeting the
individual needs of every student in order to give each a chance to succeed in
school. Knowing the rights, they need to know as well that those rights are
denied or moderated when they exercise individual rights that interfere the
welfare needs of others. I understood the argument of the principal that if the
children with disruptive behavior were given proper assistance in every
classroom through the right strategies of the teachers, the possibility of success
is at peak. However, I also agreed with the teachers’ contention for there were
already studies that spillover effects were found affecting students without
 behavior problems when it comes to inclusion benefits for troubled students.
When teachers are forced to spend added time accommodating students who act
out, it affects all the other students. The school performance will also be affected.

6. The Code of Ethics said that teachers are licensed professionals who possess
dignity and reputation with high moral values as well as technical and
professional competence in the practice of their noble profession, and they
strictly adhere to observe, and practice set of ethical and moral principles,
standards, and values. Article II Section 5 states that a teacher shall not engage
in the promotion of any political, religious, or other partisan interest, and shall not
directly or indirectly, solicit, require, collect, or receive any money or service or
other valuable material from any person or entity for such purposes. In addition,
Section 7 of the same article says that a teacher shall not use his position or
official authority or influence to coerce any other person to follow any political
course of action. Thus for me, teachers in the scenario acted unethically. The
principal and teachers should have a shared vision. They must help one another
to achieve the desired betterment for the school and for the students. Signing the
letter means not being open minded with the planned changes. If they were not
really up to it, then they should have approached the principal to discuss the
changes again and come up with a solid plan.
7. The principal determines the policy about such matters. In the Philippines, every
school has Child Protection Committee headed by the principal as an umbrella to
the DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012, also known as Child Protection Policy, which
aims to protect the child from all forms of violence that may be inflicted by adults,
persons in authority as well as their fellow students.

8. Yes, I support this practice. It is because the roles of teachers are more than just
employing principal. It should be the job of the Central Office administrators. The
focus of the teachers is on the students’ well-being.

9. If they were to address the problem, Oliver Wendell Holmes probably will be one
of the top schools in the district. Students will be the primary benefactors of the
positive changes.

10. No. The principal meant no harm to the school, students, and teachers because
his primary concern is to implement positive changes to achieve positive results.
However, the goals of the principal do not justify his means because it created
chaos in the school organization and culture and values and beliefs among the
teachers. Thus, resulted to petition for removal of Mr. Lattimore.

11. Dr. Kent D. Peterson, a professor in University of Wisconsin-Madison, school

culture is the set of norms, values and beliefs, rituals and ceremonies, symbols
and stories that make up the persona of the school. Thus, to accomplish the
plans or priorities, the principal plays a vital role in developing and enhancing
school culture because creating a positive school culture can have a remarkable
impact on the success of one’s school. Positive school culture means
 encouraging everyone to exert greater effort and productivity, improving the
collaboration among colleagues, supporting changes and improvements, and
building commitment and identification of students and teachers. With regard to
the case, the principal created conflicts that lead to disunity and
misunderstanding.

12. Policies help define rules, regulations, procedures and protocols for schools.
They help a school run smoothly and safely and ensure that students receive
quality education. Policies are created oftentimes by the local school board so
that teachers, staff and students will know what is expected and can act
accordingly. Rules are created to establish safety standards for the physical and
mental state of students and staff. Setting of rules brings forth higher learning by
establishing standards and helping to hold schools and teachers accountable to
the public. Its flexibility meets the needs of the school and the students because
no two schools are alike for each school houses different students with different
attitudes. However, its flexibility as well gives school heads and teachers the
liberty to decide based on their perception of what is right for the students. Also,
these policies can flip the wings of the students’ maximum potential.

13. It became troublesome because their behavior affects the school and students’
values and beliefs, and culture. If they themselves do not like to adjust, expect
that subordinates will also not adjust. It doesn’t mean that what he saw in other
school is the same in another school. Each school has their unique culture, thus,
an administrator must be flexible as well when it comes to decision making which
is based on what the school, students and teachers need.