A principal is not just an individual who administers a school merely because he or she is hired to do so, as we learned on Sept. 19, 2017, when former Philadelphia School District educator Linda Cliatt-Wayman visited Penn State Abington.

Wayman is an educator who may not be known to many folks, but throughout her career Wayman has worked to reform the schools of Philadelphia to help children get educated and become successful in life. Wayman is not just a principal but also a great leader who loves helping children living in poverty receive a proper education.

She has not been shy to share her experience with the world on TED, ABC and “Nightline.” She grew up in one of the poorest areas of Philadelphia. While in school, she became a victim of poverty and social injustice. As a child, she recalls that she always used to tell herself that once she had grown up, she would instantly abandon Philadelphia in search of a better home. However, for her it was the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

While in college, Wayman knew that she could not just pack her bags and leave Philadelphia. She felt it was her destiny to help the children. As Philadelphia’s education system crumbled due to budget cuts, Wayman knew that she had to step in to help.

At the beginning, Wayman worked as a high school assistant superintendent overseeing close to 52 high schools in Philadelphia.

Wayman never thought it was something she could do on her own. Indeed, when three high schools were merged, she stepped in to oversee the merger of the schools. Her goal was to help the newly merged school become successful. The schools that were merged into one are Fitzsimons Thomas, Rhodes and Strawberry Mansion. For decades, Strawberry Mansion was considered one of Pennsylvania’s most dangerous educational institutions.

Wayman began a reform project by proposing tough autocratic policies meant to control violent students and bring peace and safety to the school. While some never thought she would succeed in just a short amount of time, Strawberry Mansion was taken out of the most dangerous schools list in Pennsylvania. She did something that others had failed at.

Being a principal at an unsafe school was not easy. One problem she encountered was that many personnel were periodically quitting. At one point, Wayman stepped in herself to teach an English preparatory course to more than 100 students in the library. Her leadership and fearless attitude motivated others to follow her steps.

Most importantly, Wayman’s main goal of bringing safety to Strawberry Mansion was a success. She also managed to increase the school’s graduation rate, state test scores and proficiency of the children in reading and writing.

Wayman recalls that giving up was not the solution to the problem. The motivating factor for her was her childhood and passion for the children. One thing Wayman mentions regularly is that children must loved by their teachers and peers as if they were their own children.

Wayman says, “Remember, if no one told you they loved you today, remember I do and I always will.” Wayman is the type of person who cares a lot and stands firm for what she believes. The successful work she has done throughout her career makes her a great role model for many. Wayman says that she was her own role model and that others should try to think the same way.

Wayman’s hard work and her never-give-up attitude led to her success. Her resilience changed the course of life for the children who attended the school mentioned above.