Partnership Principal
Ed John

     When Oregon’s Ed John opened West Salem High School eight years ago, he had the opportunity to be named principal one year before the doors swung open and “selected carpet, textbooks, and garbage cans.” But the most exciting task was picking a faculty that “wanted to do good things for kids.”

    “One of the neat things about starting a school is you get to hire a totally new staff,” he recalls. “I was looking for three things in our teaching staff—experience, passion about their curriculum and knowledge of how to teach it, and having a heart for kids. The latter is the most important. If you can develop a relationship with kids, you will be successful. The first two qualities can be learned; the latter you must have.”

    John, who had worked as a principal in the Salem-Keizer School District before being named the leader of the sixth high school in the district, initially selected an office manager and an assistant principal, and that trio set about developing a team that would challenge students in a welcoming manner.

    Today, the 9-12 comprehensive high school serves 1,700 students, sending 82 percent on to college while offering a well-rounded program of academics, student activities, and an involved community.

   “In that first year, the second most important task we had was setting our climate,” John said. “We spent hours working with parents and the community to determine our mission and vision and develop a positive climate. We wanted to have a welcoming school for everyone.”

   West Salem also developed a focus on academic success and last year had three national merit semifinalists among its seniors. That focus continues to be a centerpiece at the school.

   “Last year we saw that there were too many students who were coasting their senior year. They had taken the classes they needed and weren’t challenging themselves any longer.”

   John attacked that issue by developing the seventh professional learning community (PLC) at the school; this one focusing on advanced placement and honors courses. The three teachers in that PLC were tasked with finding articles and research and talking with other teachers to see how they could promote a new culture for seniors of “challenge yourself and earn college credit while at West Salem.” Meeting twice a month, the PLC developed new AP classes which brought the total at West Salem to eight and developed incentives so students would seek out the more challenging curriculum.

   In addition to the academic focus, the school also provides coursework in manufacturing technology to meet the needs of youngsters who wish to enter that local industry and a number of student run businesses. Businesses include the “Wake Up Call Café,” where lattes, cappuccinos, muffins and other delights are available before school; “Titan Tots,” where high school students involved in the early childhood education program care for young children; a student store; school newspaper; school television station; and “Titan Catering,” where culinary students have the chance to practice their skills.

    “All of these activities allow our students to put into practice the lessons they learn in the classroom,” John said. “These programs answer the question, ‘How does classroom work apply to the real world’.”

   Student activities also play a big role in the life of West Salem High School with a full interscholastic sports program, clubs and student government, and fine arts. Last year the school’s band placed third in state competition and the orchestra finished fourth.

   “We were opened as a green school and have placed considerable attention on recycling and energy conservation,” John explains. “We have a Students for Change Club that facilitates our recycling efforts, and the building has solar panels on the roof and wind generators.”

   Data are provided science classrooms and students track and analyze energy use in the school. They even come into faculty meetings to report on the school’s energy use and remind teachers to turn off lights and computers before they leave for the day.

    West Salem also has a number of booster clubs bringing community involvement and support into the school.

   “While most schools have athletic and band booster clubs, we also have a very active academic booster club. This group of parents promotes student recognition activities and can fund professional development for teachers which the district can not afford. The key is always what benefits young people.”

    When West Salem opened an educational foundation was created which has become an effective fund raiser over the years. One auction last year organized by the foundation brought $65,000 into the school, which was made available to the various booster clubs.

   Having been principal at West Salem for eight years, John sees no end to his career.

   “I’m 63 years old and love my job. I’m not even thinking about retirement. Interacting with the kids each day and working with teachers to see what we can do to make students more successful keeps me going. I love to greet students by the door in the morning, go to student events, chat with them in the commons area, and wish them well at the end of the school day.”

  One activity of which he is most proud is his personal effort to help students who have two or more failing grades on a progress report.

  “This takes a lot of time, but it is well worth it. I bring these youngsters into my office one at a time, and ask them how their parents will react to seeing that progress report. Then, I ask them to predict their parents reactions if the next report showed all passing grades. We then develop an action plan of at least six steps that will help them remove failing grades from their report.”

  John also makes a commitment to reaching out to the community to make sure they understand the accomplishments at West Salem High. He works with a 30-person group of community leaders he has built into a Key Communicators group, alerting them through letters, emails and a blog about what is happening at the school.

   Additionally, he encourages all staff members to see their role as ambassadors for the school when they’re in the community.

   “Our goal is to share our positive news with the community. When a personal message is communicated, it is shared with 17 other individuals before it has a natural death. The more the community understands our accomplishments, the more community support West Salem High School will have.”

   John sees The Principals’ Partnership as an important aspect of his efforts to improve learning opportunities for students, especially in the tight financial times school districts are facing.

  “Our district no longer is able to provide professional development funding for principals, so The Principals’ Partnership has become our staff development program. I’ve been to six of the Summer Leadership Institutes, and I always leave with new insights. I’m able to bring back new ideas each year to share with our staff.”

  More information on West Salem High School can be found at http://west.salkeiz.k12.or.us, and John can be contacted at john_ed@salkeiz.k12.or.us.

Past Focus Principals

Focus - Matt Saldana
Focus- Orlen Zempel
Focus- Carole Meyer
Focus- Ferdinand Wipachit
Focus- Mary Stewart
Focus-Alice Phillips
Focus-Bob Arp
Focus- Jan Borja
Focus- Leonard Franks
Focus- Stephanie Moore
Focus- Stephen Jupe
Focus- Blanca Cavazos
Focus - Gene Haynes
Focus- Dan Besett
Focus- Rodney Matheney
Focus- Catherine Guy
Focus- Bob Rodriguez
Focus- John Brumley
Focus- Nancy York
Focus- Jerrylyn Jones
Focus- Gloria Erkins
Focus- Ron Sing
Focus- Bill Hittman
Focus- Jeanene Sampson
Focus- David Gilligan
Focus - Joy Walton
Focus- William Roberts
Focus- Franklyn Wesley
Focus- Magdalena Gutierrez
Focus- Kent Bergum
Focus- William "Rick" Johnson
Focus- Ken Ball
Focus- Dan Tenuta
Focus- Charlesetta Deason
Focus- Rene Posey
Focus- Stuart Baker
Focus- Paul Smith
Focus- Christie Gestvang
Focus- John A. Butterfield
Focus- Janie Hill Hatton
Focus- Steve Warmack
Focus- Glen Clark
Focus- Kittie D. Weston-Knauer
Focus- William Dunn
Focus - Richard Pemberton
Focus- Dr. Anthony Spivey
Focus - John Weigel