One-man magnet school

If you can read this, thank a teacher.

But if you stayed in school, stayed out of trouble and are living a clean, honest life, you might have a principal like Wayne Frazier to thank.

A whole lot of parents and patrons of Tubman Middle School in Augusta have him to thank for stabilizing a deteriorating educational environment at the historic school on Walton Way -- and quickly, at that.

Frazier, who was brought over from the district's alternative school, has stopped the bleeding -- and hopefully the desires of teachers and staff to move elsewhere.

He's also impressed a state monitor sent in to help turn the school around.

The thing is, Frazier has instilled discipline -- but he's also nurtured a caring environment, hugging the students and expressing his love for them.

At the same time, he's made it clear that Tubman is the community's school, not just inviting parents and taxpayers in, but even providing a bus to bring them to at least one event.

State monitor Amy Wright expects to see the turnaround expressed in student test scores. Let's hope so.

But if nothing else, Wayne Frazier has shown it's possible. And he has shown what is achievable with strong, but caring, leadership. He's a one-man magnet school.

Bottle it and spread it around.