Countywide : Learning Principles of Principals

State Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi may have been the acting principal at a local high school Tuesday, but he was also a student.

During his visit to Valley High School in Santa Ana, the gubernatorial candidate took a crash course on running a campus and listened to the concerns of youngsters and school officials. Afterward, he said anyone in government who influences education should take a similar tour.

“Before you make educational policy, you should walk in the shoes” of educators, he said.

Garamendi’s visit coincided with a statewide event called “Principal for a Day,” in which civic leaders and business people act as school administrators for a closer look at how students are educated.

At dozens of schools countywide, new “principals” from the community led campuses in the pledge of allegiance over intercoms, visited classrooms, and met with students and teachers.

The insurance commissioner, who subbed for Bob Nelson as principal at Valley, said that such visits can help local and state officials learn more about the school system and use that knowledge to improve it.

Strong schools are crucial for the community and the economy, he said. “If you don’t have a good educational system, nothing else works. Everything falls apart.”

During his visit, Garamendi taught an honor government and economics class. Stepping up to the lectern, he took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves and said with mock seriousness, “I’m your principal, so I don’t want any messing around.”

Garamendi lectured on a topic he knows well: how campaigns for state office are run. He described how candidates primarily seek television coverage to reach voters, staging colorful, unusual events designed to draw media attention.

Students said they appreciated the visit. “It’s good to see someone from the political area come to school. It’s a good idea,” said Zarah Declaro, 18.

Plus, she added, as principal, “he did a good job.”