| Project Head Start has been successful not only for | | | | proud. |
| the youthful students, but for the teachers, | | | | * Understand that mistakes will be made and learn |
| supporting staff, and families as well. My first job | | | | from them. |
| while still in college was as a Teacher's Assistant | | | | * Let others know in as positive a way as possible |
| during the summer of 1968. Years later I was a | | | | when their performance or behavior is unacceptable, |
| Mental Health Consultant with Head Start in the US | | | | inappropriate, unhealthy, or unproductive. |
| Virgin Islands. Although a bit bias, I have nothing but | | | | Principle 5. Love All Children (and the Child in All of Us): |
| respect for Project Head Start and their teachings. | | | | * Respect and protect each child from harm of any |
| Therefore, borrowing from their Seven Builders for | | | | kind. |
| Family and Youth, I encourage you to apply them as | | | | * Direct all efforts to providing a stimulating, exciting, |
| well. | | | | fun-filled, learning environment. |
| Principle 1. Commit to Quality and Excellence in | | | | Principle 6. Value Parents and the Family (Starting with |
| Thought and Action: | | | | Your Own): |
| * Give quality service to all. | | | | * Focus on building close interpersonal relationships |
| * Develop positive habits through daily practice. | | | | involving caring, respect, trust, kindness, and |
| * Develop and maintain a professional image. | | | | responsibility. |
| * Provide the finest working environment possible. | | | | * Develop parenting skills, quality time, and bonding |
| Principle 2. Be Caring of Others and Be Sensitive to | | | | with other parents. |
| Their Needs: | | | | * Give recognition for hard work, effort, and |
| * Respect the individual. | | | | accomplishments. |
| * Listen and acknowledge. | | | | Principle 7. Strive for Agency Unification: |
| *Be aware of what your actions say. | | | | * Live the agency's unifying principles as well as your |
| * Help others solve their own problems and realize | | | | own. |
| their maximum potential. | | | | * Promote loyalty within the agency by word and |
| * Eliminate "cold prickles" and "dirty bricks". | | | | action. |
| * Provide "warm fuzzes" and "golden bricks" and with | | | | * Assist in the sharing of ideas and joint |
| sincerity. | | | | implementation through teamwork and group |
| * Change leadership style as a person's competence | | | | goal-setting. |
| and commitment grows. | | | | * Establish buddy systems to facilitate success. |
| Principle 3. Grow as a Total Person: | | | | Well, managers, supervisors, parents, and teachers, |
| * Commit to self-development and improvement in all | | | | what do you think? I'm sure that you'll agree with me |
| areas. | | | | that these principles are as appropriate in the |
| * Continually develop and maintain self-esteem and a | | | | boardroom and workroom as they are in the |
| sense of achievement. | | | | classroom. |
| * Set meaningful goals and evaluate your progress | | | | Remember: When you maximize your potential, |
| periodically. | | | | everyone wins. When you don't, we all lose. |
| * Believe in your ability to make significant | | | | © Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW |
| contributions and make them! | | | | PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be |
| * Promote training, education, self-sufficiency, and | | | | republished in ezines, newsletters, and on web sites |
| leadership for all children and adults. | | | | provided attribution is provided to the author, and it |
| Principle 4. Have Personal Integrity: | | | | appears with the included copyright, resource box |
| * Be honest with yourself and everyone around you. | | | | and live web site link. Email notice of intent to publish |
| * Be fair to the best of your ability. | | | | is appreciated but not required. Contact him at: when |
| * Say and do only those things of which you can be | | | | you use this article. |