"The Principal of the Thing: Lessons Taught, Lessons Learned" is a collection of stories that encompass the career of a teacher and principal. The stories follow Gary Whitwell as he decides to become a teacher and embarks on a 45-year career in education that sees him teach middle school students and serve as an elementary school, middle school, and high school principal. The reader will meet memorable students, parents, and teachers he encountered over the years. Some stories are funny, some are sad. There are stories of conflict and confrontation in the early days of school integration, and stories about sports and Friday night lights. Taken as a whole, the stories express the author's philosophy of education and his bedrock beliefs in the value and importance of treating students with dignity and respect. Education is more crucial to our society than it has ever been, yet teacher shortages and political posturing threaten its future. While this book can be read solely for entertainment, it also presents education in a favorable light and gives proof of the respect teachers and principals deserve to receive. The author details in the book's dedication how reading a teacher's books helped lead him into education. It is his hope that this book may provide the impetus for some of its readers to do the same.
