At first glance, Chittick Elementary School Principal Stephen Decker ’91, ’98 doesn’t fit the stereotypical image of a stodgy, gray-haired disciplinarian. He’s young, stylish, and has a passion for dirt-bike riding, which recently landed him in the hospital with a fractured rib and punctured lung. He’s also a lead singer and guitarist for Entourage, a band that is scheduled to open for Rod Stewart at a concert in May 2003 in Puerto Rico. But the fact that he sometimes plays his guitar and sings at special school events doesn’t mean Decker is all fun and games. At this East Brunswick, N.J., school, a trip to the principal’s office is still serious business.

In the short two years since Decker became principal, he’s turned Chittick Elementary into an orderly and inspiring place of learning where discipline, character-building and the arts are just as important as reading, writing and arithmetic. His undertaking began with a series of small but significant changes. "When I came in, I had some overall safety concerns that had to be addressed," Decker said. He instituted rules to keep children from running in the cafeteria and required that students line up according to class before school each morning. "Those small achievements collectively made a large impact," he said. "Now, since students know they can’t run in the cafeteria, they won’t run in the hallways. We’ve been able to create a new mindset."

In addition to training his young charges in the educational curriculum, Decker is a strong proponent of character development. He worked with a team of teachers in his school to determine six key components of good character and to include them in the daily routine. Today, the first things students see as they enter the school lobby each morning are six pillars. Each is emblazoned with large, black letters describing a positive character trait: trustworthiness, fairness, respect, caring, responsibility and citizenship. In the middle of the pillars is another rotund object painted to resemble a tree trunk. "When a student demonstrates one of the six qualities, we put a leaf on the tree with his or her name on it," Decker explained. "By the end of the year, we will be able to see the tree blossom with character. It’s a concrete way to see all the wonderful things students are doing in this school."

One reason Decker focuses on discipline and character development is based on his previous experience as assistant principal at Churchill Junior High School in East Brunswick. "I spent time penalizing students who got into fights, were smoking cigarettes or exhibiting other negative patterns of behavior, and I felt that something must have been missed at the early grade levels," Decker recalled. "In the elementary environment, I now have the opportunity to be proactive and inculcate good decision-making before the children run into problems."

Ironically, some of the students that Decker now guides are the sons and daughters of his childhood friends. Decker was raised in East Brunswick, and, although he gains a certain satisfaction from being able to serve the familiar community, he admits that the homecoming has had its challenges. When he worked at the junior high school, Decker was placed in the delicate position of supervising some of his former teachers. And, those parents who knew him in high school were more than a little surprised to discover that Decker has been married for 13 years, has two children, and is a principal, because they remember him as the long-haired member of a rock band – the last person they expected to become an educational leader. But it was Decker’s love of music that ultimately led him to a career in education, and he still draws upon his interests and talents in that area to encourage his students’ artistic development.

After Decker graduated from high school, he briefly attended college in California, where he spent more time playing music than studying. "I used to play guitar on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles to make money," Decker revealed. "Later, a band mate who was a director of education encouraged me to go back to school and get a music degree." Decker followed the advice and enrolled at Kean University. After obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in music education in 1991, he started working as a music instructor. As he began to take on increasing roles of responsibility, he made an important realization. "As a music teacher, I could only impact students involved in music, but I began to see that, in administration, I could make more of a difference," Decker said. He decided to return to Kean for his Master of Arts degree in educational administration, which he received in 1998.

During his second tenure as a Kean student, Decker’s professors further inspired him to transform educational environments. He especially remembers Dr. Mary Anne Walko, who is still an associate professor in the Department of Instruction and Educational Leadership. "She was so energizing. She kept saying, ‘you want to be a change agent,’" Decker recalled. He has taken that mandate very seriously. In addition to creating a positive and disciplined environment at Chittick Elementary, Decker has provided needed resources to improve the school’s reading and music programs. "When I arrived, each teacher had his or her own small supply of books. I felt they needed a central location from which all teachers could pull materials." Decker made space in the building for a reading room. To obtain the money to purchase the books, Decker sat in a dunk tank at a carnival fund-raiser. The end result was well worth getting wet. "I think we have the best book room in the township," Decker said.

Music needed similar support. "When I came here, I was depressed about the music program," Decker recalled. "The participation in chorus was low, and practice was held in an alcove in the hallway. I felt that just wasn’t good enough." Decker dedicated some of his budget towards establishing a fully equipped music room. "The kids love going to music now," he noted with satisfaction.

Decker believes that all the arts provide students with avenues through which they can achieve. "Not everybody is going to be an academic," he stated. "Some children will grow up to be the people who will inspire us through music or writing or art." Decker emphasizes that even for students who are not artistically inclined, "The arts give children the opportunity to make new connections and become well-rounded people. That gives them self-respect." he added, "And self-respect builds character. You see, it all ties in together."