A Note From the Principal

I’ve written before about my new friend, David Pinter, principal of General Joseph Finegan Elementary in the Jacksonville, Florida area.

Today he sent me the following remarkable update, reminding me, once again, why I get out of bed in the morning:

Dear Steve,

I received a letter from the Governor of the State of Florida, Jeb Bush, this Monday, August 21, 2006, congratulating our school on being recognized as one of Florida’s Top 100 Elementary Schools for highest increase in student academic gains. Of the Top 100 Florida Schools, General Joseph Finegan Elementary placed 41st. Please realize that there are over 1500 elementary schools in Florida.

The prior proclaimed accolades are due greatly to the principles and precepts of The Radical Leap! LOVE, ENERGY, AUDACITY, and PROOF were implemented throughout the school via diagnostic, prescriptive, and evaluative measures.

If the “ideals” (not just ideas) of your book produced such great gains in our nations most precious commodity…children…imagine what it could do in the corporate arena?!

Your second book, The Radical Edge, is our mainstay for this year. All teachers returned and received their own personalized WUP pads. The words of “Agnes” have become part of our mantra for this year…”Business (Education) is personal, personal, personal.” Life is Personal.

You have been and educator by proxy in our building. Congratulations on your accomplishments in our building.

By the way…our school will be recognized for our Top 100 rating on September 7th by the School Board. These are televised. I would be honored to have you receive the award with me. Be there by 5:30p.m (EST) for photo ops…ALOHA!

Your friend,
David R. Pinter
Principal
Finegan Elementary #247

Well, David, I couldn’t in a million years justify my receiving the award with you, but nothing would do me prouder than watching you accept it.

Congratulations to you and your extraordinary team of Extreme Teachers.

You inspire us all.