Leaving his charge

Jose Paul Corona

Brian Garland’s father always told him to amount to something.

He has done just that. He has three college degrees and has served as

principal at Edison High School for the past 14 years.

Now, Garland leaves Edison with the class of 2002 as he retires from

his post as head charger next month.

As he addressed students for the last time at graduation, he reflected

on his accomplishments. He’s amounted to a lot, and a day doesn’t go by

that he doesn’t think of his father.

“His first name [was] Edison. He’s always on my mind,” Garland said

with a smile.

Garland described his father as a kind and decent man who was “active

in the church” and said he does his best to be the kind of man his father

was. When his father passed away in 1970 Garland kept a pair of his best

shoes. For the past 14 years he’s worn those shoes during each graduation

ceremony that he’s participated in.

It’s his way of thanking his father.

“They’re a little little small,” Garland said, doing his best to walk

in them.

He wore those shoes for the last time on June 13. After spending 32

years at Edison, first as a history and government teacher and then as

principal.

His office is filled with boxes with pictures and mementos from his

many years at the school. The very room that he calls his office, was the

same room that he was hired in back in 1970.

It’s the same room that he’s interviewed and hired teachers in. The

room has been like his second home.

“It’s relentless,” Garland said, “It’s all good stuff, but you get to

a point where you can’t do it anymore.”

“Once you become a principal there’s no more walking, there’s

running,” Garland said, “You’re at full gait.”

He plans on spending time with his grandchildren and with his wife who

suffers from multiple sclerosis.

But Garland said working with his students has kept him young.

“It’s a privilege,” Garland said about working with his students at

Edison. “It doesn’t get any better.”

He has served as a board member on the Huntington Beach City Schools

District off and on for 20 years and plans on continuing.

Assistant Supt. of Human Resources Kathy Kessler has worked with

Garland on the board and knows that his work is highly valued.

“I think Brian brings to the board a degree of wisdom that comes from

having worked with students over long periods of time,” Kessler said.

“His decisions, his leadership, is based on what’s best for the

students.”

Bob Stolte, an assistant principal at Edison, who is also retiring has

nothing but good things to say about his co-worker and friend.

“He is one of the most genuine human beings you’ll ever meet,” Stolte

says.

His sincerity comes across in his work. The nameplate on Garland’s

desk says “Head Educator,” and that is exactly what he is, Stolte said.

* JOSE PAUL CORONA covers City Hall and education. He can be reached

at (714) 965-7173 or by e-mail at o7 jose.corona@latimes.com.f7