CLARA SALE-DAVIS is the Principal of Freeport Intermediate. She is known throughout the school as the "pal" in "Principal." The importance of relationships is evident in her leadership style while dealing with parents, students, teachers, and everyone on her staff.

Clara graduated from her hometown high school in Elkhart, Texas, and then ventured to the big city of Austin to attend the University of Texas. Her post graduate work was completed at the University of Houston, Clear Lake.

Clara's professional experience has been in the Brazosport Independent School District in Freeport, Texas since 1983. She was a classroom teacher at Jane Long Elementary for six years and then became an Assistant Principal at Velasco Elementary in 1989. The following year, Clara was given her first assignment as Principal at O.A. Fleming Elementary until 1995. The Superintendent had such respect and admiration for her leadership capabilities, Clara was awarded the "opportunity" of being Principal of two schools in the same year - - O.A. Fleming Elementary and Freeport Intermediate School. In 1996, Clara became Principal of Freeport Intermediate, where she remains today.

Clara has been recognized for her work with a number of awards and honors. She has served on the panel for the American Institute for Research in Washington, D.C. and presently serves on the Advisory Committee on Education for Senator Buster Brown. Clara was awarded the Region IV Principal of the Year for 1997-98 and was elected as a State Representative to serve on the Texas Secondary and Middle School for Southern Association of Colleges and Schools from 1998 to the present.

Clara is a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and serves on the board of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. She also serves on the Principals' Advisory Council for Region IV ESC. Her campus has been chosen as a Texas Mentor Network school, and through this network, Mrs. Sale-Davis has trained numerous schools throughout the nation and in Sweden, focusing on motivation and improved student performance.

Mrs. Sale-Davis considers her greatest accomplishments, however, to be her two children, Skyla and John Carlton.

1. You must drive through the neighborhoods and learn where you are. Learn the lay of the land, because the school emulates the community.

2. Go in classrooms and take stock. There are always stars who are hidden. Find them and let them twinkle.

3. I disagree with making change gradually. If the school is a disaster, I disagree. Begin with school reorganization into teams. Remember that the key ingredients are enthusiasm and joy, which must permeate the building.

4. Do not lead with an iron hand and a whip. Be a cheerleader, and generate enthusiasm, from the students and the teachers.

5. Ask for help. When I came on board, I did not know how to read a master schedule, let alone how to make one. I said to the teachers, "Help me grow." The teachers "grew" me. I give them credit for my leadership ability. There were also parents who warned me about pitfalls. I give them credit, too.

6. Maintain common planning time and turn to your data.

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