Tecumseh Parents,

It is with sad and happy emotions that I share with you that I will be retiring July 1, 2012. This will be my last year as principal of Tecumseh Elementary School. I have certainly enjoyed working for Xenia Community Schools both as a teacher and principal. I started as a teacher at Spring Hill in 1984. I became the principal at Arrowood Elementary in January of 1996. I came to Tecumseh as principal in August of 1998. It has been very rewarding to work with so many dedicated teachers, support staff, and parents. I have loved working with the students in Xenia Community Schools. The chapter in my book of life is changing from employee of Xenia Community Schools to volunteer. You will certainly continue to see me in the community and in the schools.

I am sad to leave Tecumseh for so many reasons. I have especially enjoyed my time as principal at Tecumseh. I have loved the staff, students, and parents. Tecumseh parents have been very supportive over the years and this support has made my job as principal more enjoyable. I have so many great memories of my time at Tecumseh.

I believe that being a principal is one of the best jobs in education. I have always taken my responsibilities as a principal very seriously and have
always assumed the responsibilities with sincere dedication and commitment. I have had an awesome experience being a principal, teacher, and star polisher :) The sweet part of retirement will be having more time with family, especially my pride and joy - my three grandchildren.

Thank you for the opportunity to work and serve at Tecumseh Elementary
School. It has been a wonderful fourteen years.

Carla Long,
Principal, Tecumseh Elementary School

I Am A Star Polisher

I have a great job in the universe of occupations. What do I do? I’m a “star polisher.” It’s a very important job. If you want to know how important, just go out at night and look at the stars twinkling and sparkling. You see, I’m a principal. The stars are the children in my school. My job is to take them –in whatever shape they come—and shine and buff them and then send them out to take their place as bright, twinkling beacons in the sky. They come into my school in all shapes and sizes, sometimes they’re bent, tarnished, dirty, crinkly, or broken. Some stars are cuddly and soft, some are prickly and thorny. As I buff and polish, I train and teach my little stars. I tell them that the world cannot do without them. I tell them they can do anything they set their minds to. I tell them they can be the brightest, shiniest stars in the sky and the world will be a better place because of them. Each night as I look at the sky, I’m reminded of my very important job and awesome responsibility as a principal. Then I get my soft buffing cloth and my bottle of polish in preparation for tomorrow—for my school of little stars.

Written by Leah Becks

(Wording changed from teacher to principal and class to school)