POV Season 22 Episode 14 The Principal Story

POV season 22 episode 14, titled "The Principal Story," is a documentary that takes us into the lives of two principals, Kerry Purcell of Shelbyville, Indiana and Tresa Duffin of Springfield, Illinois. These two women, coming from completely different environments and serving very different demographics of students, are both fighting to improve their students' education.

In Shelbyville, Kerry Purcell is the principal of Shelbyville High School, a school with a predominantly white student body. Here, Purcell is faced with a number of challenges, including low student engagement, post-graduation unpreparedness, and, above all, racial tensions.

Purcell has a deep desire to help her students succeed and to make Shelbyville High a place where every student feels they belong. She's implemented a program called "Intelligence Integration" aimed at bringing students of all backgrounds together, cross-culturally, to learn from and with one another.

In Springfield, Tresa Duffin is the principal of Harvard Park Elementary School, a school in a predominantly African American and Hispanic neighborhood. Duffin is focused on addressing the trauma and poverty that her students experience every day by bringing a trauma-informed approach into the classrooms.

Duffin has implemented a program called "Harvard Park University", which is designed to help students develop a love for learning and build their confidence by exposing them to a wide variety of subjects and activities. The program includes dance, theater, music, science, and even community service projects.

Throughout the documentary, we see the daily struggles faced by these two principals, from handling discipline issues to navigating difficult conversations with students and parents. Despite the challenges, both Purcell and Duffin remain steadfast in their dedication to helping their students succeed.

As we follow their journeys, we see how they each navigate the obstacles in their path, and how they are able to balance the needs of their students against the expectations of the district and the community.

We also see the ups and downs of their personal lives. Purcell is a single mother raising two young boys while also pursuing a doctorate in education. Duffin is married but struggling with health issues that affect both her and her husband.

"The Principal Story" is an inspiring and thought-provoking documentary about two individuals who are making a real difference in the lives of their students and their communities. It's a reminder that educators are not just teachers, but also dedicated leaders and advocates who have a profound impact on the lives of those around them.