Oral history interview with Belia C. Cruz conducted by Janel Houldsworth on October 25, 2004 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Cruz reflects upon her career as an elementary school teacher and principal in Imperial County, California from the 1970s to the 1990s. She discusses her upbringing, and how her family influenced her involvement with programs such as Head Start, and how this translated into a teaching career. She describes the process by which she eventually became a principal, and her work in bilingual education. She also offers her stance on the contemporary status of the education system, and the standing of bilingual education in the Clark County School District (CCSD). She concludes by describing her experience as a substitute teacher in CCSD, and her involvement with bilingual education.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mirta G. Feinberg conducted by Jeffrey Smith on April 22, 2006 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Feinberg reflects upon her 38-year career in education, with the bulk of her career taking place in California. She describes the process by which she became a principal, and her experiences working with bilingual education. She discusses challenges that she faced as a principal such as school safety, and describes her working relationship as a principal with assistant principals.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. David A. Price conducted by Wendy Testa on October 22, 2008 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Price reflects upon his more than 30-year career as an elementary school principal in Montana and Nevada from 1970 to 2004. He discusses his upbringing and the process by which he became a teacher and eventually an administrator, and how certain teachers and administrators during his middle and high school years influenced his decision to teach. He describes his approach to education, and his regular job responsibilities as principal. He offers suggestions for individuals interested in pursuing school administration, and compares his salaries from working in Montana to working in Nevada. He also describes different teaching models, and shares his opinion of what aspects he believes are the most effective.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Michael S. Robison conducted by Harmony Ayala on November 24, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Robison reflects upon his career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Douglas County School District. He discusses his experience as a principal, and also as Area and Region Superintendent. He discusses student cultural diversity within the school district and the state of Nevada, and his interactions with the Washoe tribe. He describes his personal approach to education, how his experiences shaped that approach over time, and how he interacted with students on a regular basis. He also shares his opinion on contemporary topics within schools such as overcrowding, vouchers, and violence, and offers suggestions for individuals interested in pursuing school administration.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dayle K. Rust conducted by Michelle Muniz on May 01, 2004 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Rust reflects upon his career as a teacher and administrator in Nevada’s White Pine County School District and Clark County School District. He describes the process by which he first became a teacher in the White Pine County School District, his experience as a coach, and legal challenges that he experienced with teacher dismissal. He then describes how he began working with the Clark County School District at J. D. Smith Middle School, and then was sent to work at various middle schools throughout the School District. He describes his experience as assistant principal of Gilbert Magnet School for Communications & Creative Arts, and discusses political challenges that led to his retirement.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Jean Serum conducted by Barry Bosacker on June 16, 2006 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Serum reflects upon her career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District. She discusses the process by which she became a teacher at J. D. Smith Middle School, an administrative assistant, and then a principal. She discusses her approach to education, and provides her opinion on standardized testing practices and charter schools. She also offers advice for individuals pursuing school administration, and describes what she believes makes an effective school administrator.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mike A. Foster conducted by Heather Christopherson on March 20, 2002 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Foster reflects upon his 25-year career as a teacher and administrator with Arizona’s Douglas Unified School District. He discusses the process by which he became an administrator, and describes training and experiences that he feels were most useful for his career. He describes his approach to education, his regular responsibilities, and challenges that he faced as a principal. He also provides his opinion on student ethics and discipline, school overcrowding, teacher evaluations, and dismissals.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Frank Lamping conducted by Karen Bennett and Nancy Heavey on July 23, 2001 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Lamping reflects upon his roughly 30-year career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District. He discusses his opening of Thurman White Middle School, programs that were implemented such as computer classes, and challenges that were faced with curriculum changes and standardized programs. He also discusses his personal approach to education, and how his upbringing and experiences shaped his approach.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marilyn Miks conducted by Shannon Dunlap on November 06, 2009 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Miks reflects upon her 14 years as an administrator. She discusses her approach to school administration, how it evolved over time, and challenges that she faced while serving simultaneously as principal of an elementary school and middle school. She discusses the strengths and weaknesses of her training, and provides suggestions for individuals interested in pursuing school administration.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Janet Saxton conducted by Francine Gordon on November 10, 2006 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Saxton reflects upon her twenty years as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District. She discusses the interactions between teachers and principals, and challenges that she faced in fostering relationships with teachers. She then describes her personal approach to school administration, and discusses how her upbringing and experiences shaped that approach.
Archival Collection