ABSTRACT
Effective principals understand that they are the filters for the day-to-day reality of school. Whether we are aware of it or not, our behavior sets the tone. If people see us running down the hallway screaming Fire!, it will be the talk of the school for days, even if it was a false alarm. By the same token, if we calmly ask people to escort their students out of the building, the students will evacuate just as quickly, but without spreading panic throughout the school. The most effective principals choose their filters carefully.
