My Letter to the School Board in Support of Mr. Paul Smith

Dear School Board Member,

My purpose in writing is to ask for your support in restoring Mr. Paul Smith’s position as the principle at Layton High. It troubles me to see a strong leader being forced out of a position he is highly qualified for. What the districts decision shows me is that Mr. Smith’s qualifications limit him to less then a high school principle. It would be incorrect for anyone to assume this. Help give back Layton High’s principal or help us retrieve a detailed explanation to their decision.

I myself am a student at Davis High School, who for the past semester has been interning as a history teacher at Layton High, under the direction of Mr. Delose Conner. My mere acquaintance was all I needed to understand the immense character that Mr. Smith demonstrated. I have been exploring the field of teaching as a career path for quite some time now, and have come to understand that teaching is not about the money, but about the joy that comes from serving students. This understanding comes from my first encounter with Mr. Smith. He sat me down in his office and explained to me that teaching was a noble profession, and also of the immense impact teachers have on future world leaders. Likewise, he stressed the importance of instilling values in students. It is more important to be the teacher that is disliked today, and admired ten years from now because of the valuable life lessons taught, than the teacher who was “cool” ten years ago because he pleased the students by succumbing to their pressures.

Some people may argue that he could be putting on a show to gain a good reputation with all those he meets. In reply to this I can say that no matter how persuasive the argument against him, I will know of the sincerity of the words spoken to me during our first meeting. Paul Smith is an admirable leader who supports his faculty and the students whom they teach. He is the cause of much success at Layton High School. Do what is best for the students. To neglect action would be contradicting the Davis School District’s Mission Statement, of fostering educational excellence, and providing a safe environment where students can acquire the skills, knowledge, values, and commitment to adapt to and lead a changing world. That is precisely what Mr. Smith explained to me, we need to nurture the future leaders of the world. I have faith the school board will do what is best for the education of the teenagers within the district.

Sincerely,

Wesley Mathis