Principal ready for challenge

Published 4:56 am Thursday, August 3, 2006

By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
CASSOPOLIS – The new prinicpal's path to Cassopolis wasn't in a straight line.
Anthony "Tony" Habra may have come from Lansing, near Grand Rapids, where he was born, but for many years in-between he lived all over the country, including Los Angeles, Calif, Las Vegas, Nev. and Tucson, Arizona.
From driving taxi to delivering singing telegraphs, his route eventually wound to education .
"A four-year-old boy questioned me," Habra explained, about the fact he was a boy, yet he had long hair and an earring. "You aren't a girl," the boy told him. When Habra saw the youngster light up at learning something new about the world, he realized he would really like to be an educator.
His list of colleges added up with his travels, as he continued to take classes, finally receiving a bachelors.
A history major, he began teaching gifted and talented, until he was challenged with an at risk class – students wearing tethers on their last chance."Nineteen out of 20" went on, he said.
Realizing he had been more of a counselor, he went back to school and became a counselor for a middle school.
Called upon once again, this time for administration, again he returned to school, this time for another masters. His experience in both counseling and as an assistant principal will be useful in this new capacity.
"I love education, helping them understand something new and getting to the next level," he said.
"A friend told me, 'you'll be a principal some day,' " Habra recalled, something he denied ever happening.
But Habra has plunged into his new position as principal of Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School in Cassopolis with excitement.
Many of the parents in the community have already spoken to Habra, as he is calling each family, introducing himself and offering his own cell phone number, in case they wish to speak with him again.
"I want them to feel connected," he said.
His challenge, as he sees it, is to "create a sense of community. Something we should have already. It is lacking."
He was disappointed to learn of enrollment decreasing, as parents choose alternative schools.
"We have a dedicated staff, teachers who go above and beyond, from what I have seen," he said.
"We need to welcome people into the education community," Habra added.
One such way is the Ranger Rollout Fair, planned for Friday, Aug. 25, before the football game. There will be hot dogs and games for the kids.
On Tuesday, Aug. 29, he will hold a Meet the Principal Night in the auditorium, along with the assistant principal.
Another plan is to set up a parents' lounge, where there will be parenting videos available and brochures.
"We are you and you are us. We are all in this together," he said. "I want what is best for your kid. That is why I got into education. I love kids. I love the challenge to meet the needs of all."
Habra's wife Kimberly is an elementary teacher. They have three children, Alexandria, 8 and twins, Jack and Michaela, 3.