I believe the success secrets for principals, teachers, and parents shared in the book can make a big difference in many schools, classrooms, and homes all across America and beyond. That's the purpose of the book, and all who care for children are invited to become a part of it and help make it happen.

The book starts with the story of how I flunked the fifth grade and what followed afterward. My best friend during my first year in the fifth grade was the strongest kid in the class, who was also considered to be a slow learner. I did a lot of his homework for him,and he in turn protected me from the other kids. I didn’t think he was going to pass, and if he didn’t pass, I didn’t want to pass, either. The teacher didn’t seem to like me very well, and somehow she didn’t notice that when all the dumb kids were sent to the chalkboard to work on math problems with a helper that I often finished first and didn’t need a helper. I admit that my friend and I didn’t like school very much and we both got a lot of Fs on our report card, but the shocker is that I flunked, and if I remember correctly, he passed!

Now here’s what followed afterward: the schools in our community were reorganized and I ended up in a different school the following year, without my friend’s protection. I was on my own, and I was a very tiny kid. But Miss Reece, the teacher in my new school, seemed to like me. She laughed when I said funny things, and I especially remember her holding up a picture I had drawn and telling the whole class why she liked it. That year, I believe I got nearly all As and Bs on my report card, and every year after that—all through grade school, high school, college, and grad school. Oh, the power of a caring teacher! Thank you, Miss Reece!

Many of the tools for success shared in this book are different and may be called “secrets” because so few principals and teachers seem to be aware of them. They are to me, however, tried and proven winners in working with children in the public school system and should no longer be kept a secret. I’m sure that Miss Reece would agree if she were still alive. These success secrets all relate to the power of caring and of communicating that you care, and they will equip you with a great number of building-wide projects and activities that promote good public relations and a positive school atmosphere. Character education is basic in most of these strategies, and they do not interfere with the concern for separation of church and state.   

All success secrets evolved from my experience as an administrator and elementary principal for twenty-three years with Columbus Public Schools in Columbus, Ohio. Most of them are written directly to and for principals, but teachers will find that most of these teaching tools can be adapted to individual classrooms and will really make a difference in the lives of boys and girls. Caring parents will also find many helps in the book to aid and support their child and their child’s school.

There are also many documents, forms, sample letters, etc. included in the book that you can adapt and use in your own building or classroom. You’re too busy to create new ones; use mine. I know you’re too busy because I’ve been where you are, and I want to make it as easy and simple as possible for you to implement many of the success secrets shared in The Power of Caring for Elementary Schools. They definitely worked for me, and I am very confident that they will work for you as well! 

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Elmer Winner

1851 Pacer Ct.

Circleville, Ohio 43113

Phone: 740-474-7242

Email: ewinner3@columbus.rr.com