National Public Radio is doing a series of stories over the course of this school year on Oyler School in Lower Price Hill.
After two years out of their building and out of their neighborhood, a remodeled and expanded Oyler threw open its doors in August. Local 12 reporter Deb Dixon, who has done many reports on Oyler over the years, was there. A portion of her report aired on Newsmakers.
Then Dan Hurley was joined for the entire Newsmakers program, by Craig Hockenberry. Craig has been at Oyler for 14 years, 12 of those as the principal.
We heard Craig give credit to lots of people this morning for what they have done for the students of Oyler, and that's appropriate. But this sort of change only happens when a great leader emerges. A person with vision, but not blinders that screen out the ideas of other people; a person who trusts others, and doesn't have to control every detail; and a person who is patient and can tolerate how long it takes to make change in the midst of big bureaucratic structures and huge social problems.
Because he possesses all of those and other qualities, Craig Hockenberry has become one of the most effective and inspiring leaders in our region.
