Principals are constant symbols of strength for students, many of whom are literally walking around with no hope, Salomne Thomas-El told participants in his Assembly session, “Why We Choose to Stay: The Power of Principals.”

Thomas-El, principal, John F. Reynolds Elementary School, Philadelphia, challenged the principals to understand their value in the lives of young people.

"Know that you have the power to influence and be a role model,” he said. “You are affecting so many people in your buildings. Many of those whom you are touching come from families where no one has gone to college before. If your graduates go to college, they will raise children who understand there is a better life through education.”

He also urged school leaders to believe in “the power of one,” reminding them that what they do matters to any one child who benefits from the learning experience.

Thomas-El, author of the award-winning book, I Chose to Stay, indicated that one of the biggest challenges educators face today is convincing parents that they need to stay involved in the education of their children.

"We have to find ways to make parents as accountable as educators are.”

He recalled the story as his childhood, being the youngest of eight children raised by a single mother.

“My mother was a humble person who went to my school with me and asked teachers for help. She said none of her other children had graduated and she needed one of her children to go to college. My principal and teachers sacrificed time in their own lives to save my life.”

Thomas-El can be contacted at [email protected], and more information about him can be found at www.ichoosetostay.com.