The Hyperpresent Principal
North Buncombe Elementary School Principal Heidi Allison The classroom door quietly opens. The students barely notice. A few glance toward the visitor before quickly returning their attention to the work in front of them. There is no sudden straightening of desks. No nervous glance from the teacher. No interruption to announce the arrival of the person who has just entered the room. That is because this visitor is here all the time. The principal slips into an empty chair beside a student who is staring intently at a page covered with numbers. “What are you learning today?” The student looks up and begins explaining the math problem. The principal listens. Not simply to the answer, but to the student's thinking. The principal asks another question. “How did you figure that out?” The student points to the paper and begins again, this time explaining the process that led to the answer. A smile slowly stretches across the principal's face. “That is some impressive thinking.” The s...