Foreword
A few years ago, I received an incredible gift; the opportunity to work as a professor of educational leadership in one of America’s largest cities – Miami, Florida. Recognized as the home to the 4th largest urban school district in the United States I had little doubt about the myriad of opportunities I would be given in my already privileged life as a White male growing up in Atlantic Canada. On my arrival at Florida International University I wasted little time pounding the pavement with hopes of gaining entry into the local schools of Miami-Dade County and into the life of school leaders and the children under their care. Relationships unfolded quickly with an array of aspiring and practicing school leaders throughout the district. Soon I found myself as a member of a research team charged with a three year study on 39 low performing schools in the county. These schools were considered “failing” schools by the State as a result of low performance on the state-wide standardized test. My mission on the team was simple: to observe school leaders, interview and analyze leadership behaviors, attitudes and dispositions, and attempt to reach some conclusions about this elusive phenomenon. As I began my journey, I did so acknowledging that the study of leadership was nothing new to me. Having worked in public schools for nearly 20 years as a teacher, school administrator, a district office program leader, and sporting two graduate degrees in educational leadership I was steeped in leadership theory and had numerous opportunities to practice leadership. But this journey took me in a new direction that challenged me to see leadership from a different perspective, a direction that shifted my focus from the “behaviors” to the “essence” of what true leadership really represents. That was the beginning of an epiphany for me – one that was confirmed by my good friend Steve Gallon 111, in his first book The Principalship: Tribulations and Triumphs and reconfirmed in his new book When Morning Comes: Moments of Strength, Struggle, and Salvation. I am humbled and honored to be part of Steve’s story of hope and promise.
When Morning Comes is based upon Steve’s personal and professional experiences and told through the eyes of his lead character, Darryl Gilliam. It’s a compelling tale of Gilliam’s experiences as a principal of an inner city high school – Westside Senior High, and as a boy growing up in Freedom First. Freedom First is a community which is described as “poor”, “socially fragmented”, “economically destitute”, and “politically rudderless” -where people lived on society’s margins, struggling with poverty and incessant danger created by street gangs and hustlers, prostitution, drug lords, drive-by shootings, murders, and suicides. For young black men growing up in Freedom First, success in school sports at Westside Senior High School was seen by many as a way out of the ghetto and into a better and brighter tomorrow. In the words of Gilliam: To be a young black male and standing on a street corner in Freedom First was a prescription for death. In what police said was a vicious turf war between rival drug gangs, young black men with links to the cocaine and marijuana trade were being publicly gunned down on a daily basis. This, and several widely publicized acts of violence, provides a revelation into the anger, alienation, and desperation that turned legions of young, black men into social pariahs that wreaked mayhem and murder into the predominantly poor, black community of Freedom First. Unlike many of his friends from the community, Gilliam managed to leave Freedom First after high school and was college-bound. Years later he returned as principal of Westside Senior High School.
Throughout the book, Steve teaches the importance of education as a building block for democracy and as a key building block for every child’s future. He capitalizes on his belief in the power of education for human and societal development. Through his many characters – all who represent someone in his life - we see Gilliam cares enough to fight for his beliefs. In a very personal and practical way, he shares his conviction about the importance of relationships, and living by the heart, soul, mind and spirit. Among the many heart-wrenching stories shared by Gilliam include the very powerful and touching story about a man who served as a consistent beacon of hope and promise in his life – his father; the impact of losing childhood friends to incarceration and violent deaths; the suicide of a high school teenaged mother; the impeccable courage, determination and resilience of a young boy who defied the odds so graduation was possible; and, dealing with a fraudulent and socially unconscious teacher in his charge. Rampant throughout the story is the myriad of social injustices of people who live daily on the margins of society. Yet, for many, allowing the destruction of their spirits was not an option.
In When Morning Comes Steve shares many uplifting experiences and moments of sheer joy, optimism, and triumphs. The most revealing story is told in the way principal Gilliam returns to Freedom First and engages in the schools transformation. Westside Senior High School had welcomed its son to help set a promising path for the future of its community. It had gained a caring principal who had a simple but powerful vision: Failure is not an option.
This is a must read “page turner” for countless 21st century educators who faithfully dedicate, sacrifice, and fight for a better tomorrow in the quest to support and encourage all children to learn and lead better lives. Anyone concerned about the trials, tribulations and triumphs of inner city schools would benefit immensely from Steve’s tale. This is a reality-based educational tale which both stirs the conscience and uplifts the soul. Steve dives directly into the whirlwind, and invites us to sail along with him. It is not an easy ride, but it is well worth it. In this book he provides a nuanced and complex look at that special place between heaven and earth where every person must somehow make a life.
Steve Gallon III is a new fresh voice in education. His story is inspirational, powerful, and riveting all the way through to the deep-rooted cliff hangers left with us at the end. There is no doubt in my mind that ink has been already been put on paper for a third book.
The abuses of cultural oppression towards disadvantaged youth continue to be horrendous. The consequences are severe, and the damage to their self-esteem is unconscionable. Principal Gilliam’s story enlightens us, teaches, inspires, and raises acute awareness of the responsibilities of providing educational opportunities to all children – an education that is more readily available and easily met in some schools while in others it comes with enormous societal and community obstacles. When Morning Comes is Steve Gallon’s gift to us. In it, he lets his guard down and allows us to observe him through his characters as he takes inventory of himself, with the hopes that we will be challenged to do likewise. It is only by doing so that each of us can begin a journey of self-discovery about our own biases and to act responsibly for its eradication. If the answers do not lie in these pages, at least here we will find plenty food for thought for contemplating the issues and engaging in difficult dialogues…when morning comes.
Anthony H. Normore, Ph.D.
Professor of Educational Leadership
Florida International University
March, 2006
Available at:
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Email: sgallon@whenmorningcomes.net