by Linda Kuoha
Congratulations are in hand for Pope School's principal Dr. Louise Pualani Wolcott. Dr. Wolcott has been selected as Hawaii's National Distinguished Principal for 1966. She is recognized by the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the Hawaii Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association.
Blanche Pope's School Community is proud of her accomplishments through the
many innovative projects and changes that she has brought about. The students
continue to strive in Blanche Pope's Accelerated School Process with her
visionary leadership and commitment.
"It's an honor to represent all the principals in the state, and to represent Waimanalo. It really makes me proud," said Dr. Wolcott. "The accelerated schools project has been a real plus. It really involves more people in the process. It also allows more systemic change: we really have to examine what we propose to do. In the end we have a better decision because people have gone to the effort of studying a proposed change. Typically ideas are brought in and forced on the teachers. With this process of inquiry, it stands a better chance of happening--you have to go back and support the teachers, and as they give us feedback, to make adjustments."
"The enrollment at Pope School is 92% Hawaiian. As a native Hawaiian I'm especially concerned that our children will have the same advantages." She also emphasized the importance of early childhood education: on campus at Pope School are Kamehameha Schools Preschool and a Head Start program.
As a National Distinguished Principal, Dr. Wolcott will be honored at a reception in Washington, DC in September.