Rita and the David School

How would the David School be different if Rita was the principal?

If Rita was the principal at the David School, Chris Johnson and Cody Perkins would have positive

opportunities as a student. Rita would provide positive relationships with her staff and students. She

has worked with low income students as well as defiant teachers who have low expectations for their

students. Rita also has experience working with secondary students that have personal problems

outside of school.

Rita would provide opportunities for Cody to perform at the school, strengthening his bass and

singing skills while giving him a sense of purpose. The video does not show Cody performing at

school. He practices with his band outside of the school environment and spending a great deal of

time with his girlfriend. The David School does not appear to have any extra curricular activities

that Cody would be interested in participating.

Chris Johnson would greatly benefit from Rita as the principal. Rita would definitely make it a point

to have frequent visits to his house, require staff to take a training class on teaching students with

poverty, and how to de-escalate a frustrated student. Even though the David School attempts to

provide Chris with the newspaper project to engage him with his class, there is no follow through or

consequences with his actions. How could he have missed 15 days of school without anyone checking into that? It wasn't until he returned to school that the staff had serious conversations about

whether he would get his driver's license or pass the grade. This frustrated Chris even more, pushing

him away from completing anything.