Michael was a guest of principal of Shawnee Middle School. He is pictured here with FWCS Board of School Trustees VP, Julie Hollingsworth. -Photo from Fort Wayne Community Schools

It was the annual Principal for a Day event at Fort Wayne Community Schools on Thursday. More than 50 professionals from business, education, religion, legal, law enforcement and entertainment circles walked the walk the principal takes every day.

Their day ended around noon, when they were invited to lunch at the FWCS Career Academy at Anthis downtown. Students from the Academy’s culinary arts program prepared their meal.

Superintendent Wendy Robinson said many participants hadn’t been in a school since the day they had graduated.

“They see how schools operate today,” she said. “They see much has changed, particularly in the role of the principal. Most adults remember their principal sitting in the office all day. You will rarely find the principal in his or her chair.”

Going over paperwork with Shawnee Principal, Matthew Schiebel.

The shadow principals arrived at the start of the school day and welcomed students into the building. They also saw how the principals work with concerned parents and teachers.