High goals for high school principal

At first sight, one might mistake him for a coach.

He looks like a football player, reads leadership books and laughs heartily.

He has a basketball signed by coach John Wooden on a shelf in his office; his wife’s a coach. But Don Austin’s goal is to coach kids in school, not on the ballfield. As Laguna Beach High School’s new principal, he already has big plans.

Working long hours to improve school spirit and revamp programs to better benefit kids, Austin is backed by an understanding family that is grateful for their smooth move to Arch Beach Heights from Riverside County.

“The community met my entire family with open arms,” he said. “Everyone is so giving of their time and support. They really make an extra effort to make everyone feel special.”

“He has been a wonderful addition to our staff,” said Superintendent Theresa Daem. “His enthusiasm for our kids and his obvious appreciation for his staff mean we’re really excited about what he’s planned for the year.”

Austin arrives at work at about 6:45 a.m., and routinely leaves at 9:15 at night. Many evenings, he will watch his kids swim at the pool. His wife Paula, the high school’s girls junior varsity volleyball coach, sometimes brings dinner there.

He said that he’s never worked in a district where his kids attended school before, which adds a new layer of importance to his work. “I want to get this place ready for my own kids,” he said.

Garrett, Emilie and Kristine all attend Top of the World. “They already feel like they’ve been here forever,” Austin said.

Emilie, 8, the family athlete, won a chamber of commerce award recently. She likes going to volleyball practices, and plans to try drama.

Kristine, 6, loves to help people, and has a very active imagination; she constantly invents stories, and creates whole worlds in her mind.

Garrett, 11, said he’s into basketball, drawing cartoon characters and reading. “I’m writing my own book,” he added. “I just started today.”

Garrett won a statewide award recently for his writing; he won a trip and read his essay in front of hundreds.

He also ran for student government “out of curiosity” this year — and won.

He said that he hasn’t been treated differently at school, despite his “celebrity” status.

“My son just turned 11. We got him a trumpet, because … they have an elementary school music program here,” Austin said.

He’s also impressed that his kids have been able to take field trips to places like the Ocean Institute in Dana Point.

While at La Sierra High, he said he worked hard to level the playing field there.

“We talked often about the philosophy of a successful team there,” he said. “Wooden set expectations, and everyone had to meet them. He had clear expectations and core beliefs, and wasn’t afraid to share them. Neither am I; I’m going to talk, no matter what.”

Austin makes an effort to know his students, walking around during lunch, stopping in the hallways.

“This school’s size permits me the time to do it,” he said.

School spirit is a primary goal for Austin, who worked with students to create a community carnival before homecoming. “A small town that can all rally behind a single high school makes this ideal for me,” he said.

“School culture is the foundation. If kids don’t feel good about their school, you’re gonna have limits.”

He has put up pictures depicting the school’s history, and has worked with students to create school t-shirt designs and an “A for the Day” program, which he first learned about in high school.

Each day, students will be named over the loudspeaker as awardees in one of five categories: Attitude, Attendance, Academics, Artistry and Athletics.

“A lot of kids here want to have these things, but are afraid to be the first one to try it. The kids here will make a big deal out of it,” he said. “More important than a shirt, I hope that every kid has a connection to this school — that they feel like they’re a part of something.”

Recognizing that his views may be seen as far-reaching by some, he said that it’s also important to develop trust and acknowledge mistakes, accepting different perspectives.

He is fervent about “the potential for this school to be one of the premiere high schools in the entire country.”

“How do you create a culture of continued improvement? It’s pretty easy to say, ‘Hey, we’re pretty good,’ and to lighten up,” he said.

“But good is never good enough. We should be regarded as the top of what we do. This is a realistic goal here.”