As a grade schooler, were you scared to get summoned to the principal’s office? I know I was. However, at Kate Sessions Elementary, the new principal is changing all that — and a lot of other things — to make the highly regarded school in Pacific Beach even better.
Margaret Joseph was on vacation in France last summer when she picked up the phone at 2 a.m. and learned she was chosen to take over Kate Sessions Elementary. (It is an International Baccalaureate school.) After 30 years in education, she was so excited she cut her trip short to start right away — and she’s been going strong from day one.
Every morning Joseph is in front of the school greeting kids and parents on their way in and wishing them well on their way home. During the day, she spends a lot of her time in classrooms. 
“The myth is a principal sits in an office all day and deals with student issues. The truth is, I spend most of the day away from my desk observing teaching and learning,” said Joseph.
One of the things the new principal discovered is the need to bring technology and teaching together in a bigger way.
“Kate Sessions will soon have Promethean boards and video projectors in every classroom, and all students will have access to iPads and computers,” she said.
When asked what she would do if money were no object, Joseph said she has a long list of innovative ideas. However, as is the case with most public schools, funds are always in short supply. That’s why the parents of Kate Sessions Elementary put on an annual auction to raise money to pay for art, music, Spanish and library programs, all of which wouldn’t exist without fundraising. This year, the fundraiser is being held March 21 at the Soledad Club in La Jolla.
It’s fitting the school is named after Kate Sessions, a former educator and local leader who became famous for her work beautifying Balboa Park and other neighborhoods. Today, the school has a strong leader in Joseph, who exemplifies what a good principal can do for a school and a community, and dedicated parents who support her and the school by volunteering their time to raise money to give the best possible education to area kids. 
If you or your company wants to make a tax-deductible donation of goods, services or talent to the annual auction to raise money for programs, email [email protected]. — Lee Silber is the best selling author of 19 books with two sons attending Kate Sessions Elementary School. He is volunteering his time as the emcee of this year’s annual auction and his band is providing the music. www.leesilber.com