Oklahoma Impact's Jennifer Loren Is Principal For A Day

Jennifer Loren, Oklahoma Impact Team

TULSA, Oklahoma -- I got to do something really fun Thursday. I was the principal for a day at  my alma mater, Wilson Middle School.

I have always respected educators, but I have to say, after today I have a whole new level of respect for them, especially as things continue to change

The hallways looked the same, the classrooms were similar, but so much was different.

I told my old Wilson classmate, who's now a teacher here, I would have done better in geography if we had these things: smart boards are used in pretty much every class.

Being principal seems a little overwhelming. There's so much to do beyond dealing with kids and parents, like check 1,300 e-mails and read all of these books.

And then there's the data. Wilson's real principal, Rachael Stacy, analyzes data regularly to see where they need to close the learning gaps. It's all about getting good test scores.

"Those particular tests are high stakes tests for schools and it's really important that we have positive student outcomes." Stacy said.

Thursday, part of her job was entertaining and teaching me, a reporter. And the reporter in me couldn't leave without hearing her opinion on the new consolidation plans that could close her school.

"We were surprised," Stacy said. "But when you look at the plan, or the proposed plan, it would be an unbelievable opportunity for the kids of this school to be able to have another opportunity to go to the new Rogers."

More evidence that things have changed and will continue to change in Tulsa schools.

They still have four foreign language options there as part of the international baccalaureate program: Spanish, French, German and Russian.