UC Student Discovers His Principal Truly Was His Pal

Jordan Carrier of West Chester, Ohio, recalls that he frequented the principal’s office in elementary school, “always getting into fights and causing disruptions.” As Carrier looks ahead to graduating from the University of Cincinnati next spring, he’s honoring the school administrator who changed his life and continues to be his mentor to this day.

Union Elementary School Principal Robert Winterberger, a 28-year veteran of K-12 education, is one of four educators from around the Tristate who will be honored with the Cincinnati USA Outstanding Educator Award during UC’s Commencement Ceremony at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, in Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center. Winterberger will be presented with a $1,000 UC scholarship to be awarded to a high school senior of his choosing who plans to attend UC in the 2009-2010 academic year.

Carrier is earning his bachelor of business administration from UC, a decision he had discussed with his former elementary school principal. Winterberger was selected from 18 nominations from soon-to-graduate students who wanted to honor a K-12 educator who inspired them to work toward a college degree. The nominations were reviewed by a UC committee that included representation from the Office of the President, UC faculty, staff and students.

Carrier, who’s now 25, admits that in sixth grade, when he was acting out in school and waiting for another talking-to from his principal, “the admiration didn’t happen while I was there. I recognized it later. Instead of giving up and letting me go and getting me out of his hair, he started setting me down the right path.

“My freshman year in high school, a guy that I used to pick-on all the time approached me and mentioned how much I had changed. I told him I grew up. I just got married a month ago,” Carrier says.

Winterberger, who lives in Milford, says Carrier’s early days in school were a loving challenge. “I think there were days when Jordan probably wanted to strangle me,” he says with a laugh. “Jordan was like a lot of kids. They can be rambunctious, and you can squash their enthusiasm or tell them that you care about them. I told him I loved him like my son. I got to know Jordan and his family very well, because there were a lot of people who were working together for the success of this one child.”

Winterberger says the hugs from children at school, and a recognition like the Cincinnati USA Outstanding Educator Award, are what make his job worthwhile. “It’s more valuable than all of the money in the world,” he says.

Carrier says his former principal’s management style continues to inspire him as he approaches situations with “positive discipline.”

This December marks the fourth year that UC has presented the Cincinnati USA Outstanding Educator Awards to recognize the lifelong inspiration of K-12 educators. The students and their honorees will join UC President Nancy L. Zimpher at a special luncheon that will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec, 13, in Room 850 of the Richard E. Lindner Center.

Read More About the Cincinnati USA Outstanding Educator Award

UC Commencement Web site