The Mail-Journal, Volume 21, Number 8, Milford, Kosciusko County, 7 March 1984 — Page 12
THE MAIL-JOURNAL - Wed.. March 7, 1984
12
Dick Long is a prime example of dedication
By MARK WEINSTEIN Staff Writer In order to work with children of all ages, one might think you would have to be crazy, or love the work. Dick Long, principal at North Webster Elementary school is a prime example of the love and dedication needed to be a good principal, and motivator of children. A 1961 graduate of Huntington College, the former Forrester embarked on his education career while in Huntington. It was during a time when he needed a job that Long decided to accept, the role of a teacher at nearby Jefferson Township Elementary school. Although planning to keep the job only temporarily, the former pre-med major decided to forego medical treatment as a doctor, for educational treatment as a teacher. “After I worked with the children for a year, I decided I wanted to get intoteaching,” said Long. “It was a great experience then, and I still enjoy it today." Initially teaching in the Huntington Township school that enrolled 350 students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Long decided to move on after five years in the classroom. But his departure has a unique story clinging to it today. Although Long had departed for another institution, his love for the students, and willingness to help left a favorable impression with some of the students. “I really enjoyed working in Huntington Township, the people
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were great, and it was just a good experience,” said Long. “Even today, one of my original students sends me a Christmas card every year, and that’s special. We have been able to remain good friends over the years.” Following his switch from Jefferson Elementary, Long, and his wife, Donna, moved to Warren Elementary School. Long’s duties shifted from the classroom into the gymnasium. Primarily teaching physical education, the former athletic star at Etna Green High School enjoyed the variety of different subjects while still shaping students’ lives. After a short teaching stint in Warren, and Northwest Elementary school, Long stepped up the educational ladder into the principal’s office at Northwest during their summer school program.It was during the warm months that Long knew he could help students more by being a good principal, and motivator. “I was just idealistic in thinking that I could help the students more by being a good elementary school principal,” said Long. “Now I am very happy with my position in North Webster. The students are great, and I have a great faculty here.” Long, who believes communication is essential in building and shaping the students into quality citizens, has introduced some practical devices to bring out the best in the students. “I try to see each student at least once a day,” said Long
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DICK LONG about his process of communication. “This way they won’t be scared of me if they ever got in trouble.” Although conflicts may arise within the educational framework, Long enjoys the challenge. “Education of our children is important because it is the future of our nation,” said Long about his stand on education. “They are the most important product we have, and we need to take care of them.” Since joining the Lakeland School System, Long has witnessed a growing problem of the lack of discipline within schools. “Our school is just like any other one, we have problems too,” informed Long. “But we have taken steps to correct this, and I think our problem has decreased with the efforts of our teachers and staff.” Os tools correcting the discipline problem, Long allows students to come into his office when they need correcting, and together, they work out the proper punishment. “When the students come in, they write down what they have done wrong, figure out what their punishment should be, and then sign the paper,” said Long, “and for the most part, after they are in my office once for a particular problem, they never come back again for the same one.” . Although Long has a visible interest in the children and faculty at school, he also has buried himself within several community minded activities and his duties as husband. With the principal moving from town to town, the responsibility of finding teaching work for his wife, Donna, surfaced. The Long’s, who agree on many issues have worked in the Lakeland School system together, although at different schools. Working with young children, he works in North Webster, while she is in Milford. According to Long, hardly ever a day goes by without some sort of personal satisfaction tucked away for him. Maybe this is because he is working around people he feels are important, or perhaps it’s because his other activities. But whatever the case, Dick Long has centered his life on one of the most important aspects in life, serving others.
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Salad vegetables Few foods are more refreshing on a hot summer day than fresh vegetables in a crisp, garden salad. With a little planning and proper care, you can grow your own tastygarden vegetables. Soilisready to be worked in the spring when a soil ball will crumble in your fingers. Salad vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, endive, cabbage, radishes, cucumbers, onions,chives, tomatoes and peppers grow best in open, level areas, says Lerner. Opt for soil that is loose, rich and well-drained. First, spread fertilizer over the area to be worked. Use two or three pounds of general analysis fertilizer (12-12-12) per 100 square feet. To encourage vegetative growth, fertilize with a high nitrogen-containing fertilizer before planting crops such as lettuce and endive. High rates of nitrogen encourage foliage growth at the expense of fruit and root growth so root and fruit crops also require nitrogen but at lower levels. Prepare the soil 6 inches deep by spading, plowing or rototilling. Level with a rake. Next, stretch twine or heavy cord between two stakes at either end of the garden to make rows. Make furrows for fine seeds with the hoe handle. For large seeds, furrow with the hoe blade. Cover large seeds with not more than 1 inch of soil and small seeds with little soil at all. For transplants, dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the soil ball of each plant. Set the plants, then add one cup of starter solution per plant (one tablespoon water-soluble, high-phosphate fertilizer such as 10-52-17 or 11-47-0 per gallon of water). Cover the roots with soil. Lightly shade transplants for the first few sunny days after planting to protect them from wilting. As your vegetables grow, weed between the rows. Weeds take water, fertilizer and sunlight away from vegetables and provide a home for insects and diseases. Vegetable plants need one to one and one-half inches of water per week. Make sure the moisture penetrates the surface at least six inches. Thin young vegetable plants grown from seeds by grasping the plants at the soil tine and gently pulling. Another method is to use a sharp knife to cut the plants to be thinned just below the soil tine. Mulch in late May or early June after weeding. Straw, peat moss, crushed corncobs, sawdust or compost make excellent mulch material. For more information on growing garden vegetables, contactyour county extension office for “Vegetables for Salads’’ (HO-29), or the Mailing Room, 301 S. 2nd St., Lafayette, Ind. 47905. Ideal The ideal wife is one who grows dearer all the time instead of merely more expensive.
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John Naab began as a teacher
By CATHY BRILL Staff Writer John Naab, principal at Syracuse Elementary School, began his career a bit differently than most elementary pricipals do. Naab did not begin as an elementary teacher, rather he began in the Blackford County Schools as a high school industrial arts and business education teacher. Positions as a sixth grade teacher and an elementary principal followed. Finally, before coming to the Lakeland Schools in 1967, he also spent a year as an elementary coordinator. This is Naab’s second time as Syracuse Elementary’s principal. Between his stays at the elementary Naab has handled a variety of responsibilities in the school system’s administrative offices. His responsibilities have ranged from curriculm coordinator to administering federal projects. Naab, who worked his way through school by managing a public swimming pool in his home town of Markle and working summers in the construction field, received both his BS and MA at Ball State University. He has done some graduate work at Indiana University’s South Bend Campus and has completed classes in computers and guidance there. He has also attended Purdue University, where he studied gifted and talented student programs. Naab feels succeeding in education requires more than just an interest in children. “A child’s environment is very important,” he explains. Naab sees his position as the building’s problem solver, manager and coordinator. When asked why he chose his career field Naab states, “I have an interest in people and the community, in problem solving.” Naab’s office depicts his personality, in one corner he displays his hobby, wood working. In that corner, next to the clock and wooden crates he has constructed is a plaque which reads, ‘I really don’t mind tittle problems ... because they help keep my mind off the big ones.’ Naab, who believes that a great deal of a child’s learning occurs outside the classroom, says, “There are many changes in education. It is the mirror of society. Society sees values and educators teach the basics while aware of the values and try to bring ends together.” Naab feels everyone at Syracuse Elementary has a responsibility. Just as he has a responsiblity to manage and coordinate, teachers have a responsibility to educate. Students, Naab adds, have a very definite responsibility to learn. Naab finds his job worthwhile when he can see someone really experience success. It can be a student, a teacher, a bus driver or a cook, to him that is a reward. Some of his rewards are big and
some are small, he admits. “Os course, improvements can always be made. I have never been totally satisfied and have always felt it (the educational system) could be better,” explains Naab. For the future he sees the computer as a valuable tool in the areas of managing skills and making diagnostic evaluations of learning. This, he thinks will take some time and the development of very sophisticated computer programs. When it does occur, he feels that it will help save educators a great deal of time and serve to detect any areas where students have missed concepts. However, he sees the computer as a learning tool not a subject to be taught at the elementary level. Naab is working toward greater community involvement. The school has an open house and two parent teacher conferences. The music department performs for the public and in April grandparents are invited to the school for a day. Also in April a bode fair and an art show are held. Other programs at the elementary include a volunteer program in which community members
North Webster News
BY MARY LEE WILLMAN 834-4544
Mrs. McCray to be speaker Mrs. Jack (Lila) McCray/ Elkhart, a former missionary to India, will give an illustrated presentation at the North Webster Church of the Brethren on Sunday, March 11, at 7 p.m. Mrs. McCray recently spent two weeks at Missions Stations where she formerly served. Proceeding her message at 7 p.m. there will be a carry-in dinner at 6 p.m. at which time she will make a presentation of artifacts that will be available for viewing during and after the carry-in meal. 5 new books at library Dean McFadden, librarian at the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Library, announces five new books in the adult non-fiction section have been received. These books and the authors are: “Handbook Os Accounting Methods” — J. K. Lasser
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volunteer their time to help with the school’s needs. Naab resides in the Syracuse area with his wife, Barbara, a licensed home economics teacher. The couple has two children, Susan, a junior at Ball State and John W., a computer analyst with Marathon Oil. Naab, himself, is active in the community. He and his wife are
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members of the St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church. He also belongs to the Lions Club, is president of-the Syracuse Lake Association, belongs to the Masonic Lodge, is a member of Phi Delta Kappa and belongs to IASCD, an oiganization for curriculum development. He is also serving on several state education committees while looking toward the future.
“Auditing Principals’’ — Howard Stettler “Controllership” — J. Brooks Heckert