A Turn-Around Principal

by Ginny Deerin, Founder 

Kids living in poverty get used to unmet expectations. They expect food and then go hungry. They expect a parent to care for them but find themselves parenting younger siblings. As a result of observing neglect and broken promises daily, adults who work with these children become cynical and angry.

This is a story about Ann Oplinger, a principal of an elementary school serving kids in poverty. Over her 8-year tenure, she built a defensive wall to protect her children.

I established WINGS for kids, Inc. in Charleston, SC in 1996. The non-profit is dedicated to bringing social and emotional learning to youth programs. In 1997, the Mayor and School Superintendent agreed to provide funds to send 12 students to a WINGS summer camp. The students would come from Memminger Elementary School where Ann Oplinger was the principal.

Several weeks later, I arrived at Memminger to provide Ann with the details. Twelve of her students would go to an all-expense-paid week-long residential summer camp; in addition, there would be ½ day “Return Flights” for two years.

Ann’s office was covered with “I love Ms. Oplinger” pictures; her in-basket overflowed with reports, parent notes and pink message slips. Proving to have been too much for a classroom teacher, a 5-year old sat in a corner chair coloring a picture. The constant hum of the fax machine provided the white noise needed for a private conversation with two children who would attend Memminger while living in the nearby shelter.

Our meeting was short. Ann agreed to select 12 students for camp; in return she asked that we keep our promises. My response of “absolutely” bounced off Ann’s protective wall like the Nike shoes her kids didn’t have.

WINGS camp ended with a final ceremony and family celebration. By this time, Memminger's 12 kids had bonded with 88 other campers—some rich, some poor like them and some in between. After learning that no family members would be there for Marissa, one of the Memminger kids, I called Ann.

The next night, Ann was front and center at the ceremony. She watched kids juggle lemons to the tune of “You Can Make It If You Try” and cheered as the kids sang, danced, recited and pantomimed. As her kids sang the final song, “You Can Soar,” tears flowed.

From that day on, Ann was a believer and helped more than 1000 kids get WINGS before she retired in 2005.