By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

VERSAILLES, Ind. - This year's national meeting of school principals will not be at Jane Rogers' house Christmas Day, but there may be enough for a quorum when her family arrives for dinner.

From left, Rob Moorhead, South Dearborn High School; Jane Rogers, Milan Elementary School; Jody Jordan, Osceola Elementary School; dad Wm. "Gus" Moorhead, retired from South Ripley High School; and Molly Moorhead, Princeton Jr. High School. (Tony Jones photo)

That's because Jane and her three siblings - Molly Moorhead of Springdale, Jody Jordan of Naples, Fla., and Rob Moorhead of Aurora, Ind. - are all principals.

All four have followed in the footsteps of their father, Gus Moorhead, who was a principal here for more than two decades.

"I've been here 17 years, and I've never heard of that before in a family. That is amazing," said June Million, spokeswoman for the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Gus was principal at South Ripley High School in Versailles, about 55 miles west of Cincinnati, from 1968 to 1991. His wife, Mary Margaret, taught English and journalism at the same school for 38 years.

"I learned quickly not to talk back to mom in class. I tried one day, but she taught me that no one can embarrass you in front of your friends like your mom," Rob said. "And then if I got in trouble, I was sent to the office, where I'd have to see my dad."

The family's lifestyle was unique. Besides being together all day at school, they all recall how life at home revolved around school activities like dances, school dinners and basketball games.

"Whatever happened at school, that's what we were into," Gus said. "But they must have liked that lifestyle. Mary Margaret and I talk about that sometimes, and we don't think we encouraged them or discouraged them from going into this field. It's just something they decided to do."

While Gus and Mary Margaret may not have encouraged their kids with words, their actions spoke loudly to their children. Gus said there was never a day that he didn't want to go to work, and the kids realized that.

"We could tell that mom and dad were real happy with what they did. I don't think any of us would have gone into this line of work if we sensed that they didn't like it," said Molly, who is in her third year as principal of Princeton Junior High.

"I think growing up with it and seeing the joy they found in it, I felt perhaps I could make a difference for someone, too," Jane said.

Where's the discipline?

While they work at different schools on different levels in different states, the four share stories and ideas with each other and their parents regularly by phone, e-mail or when they're together for the holidays.

"If you were to sit around our table during a family dinner, you'd find education to be the topic," Gus said. He enjoys the conversation, even though the job has changed since he retired 12 years ago.

Discipline, for example, has gotten lax.

"There was a time in education when if a kid was in trouble in school, he'd be in trouble at home, but I saw a lack of parental support toward administrators in my last couple of years (as principal).''

Jody said she shares education stories with her parents weekly.

"Dad usually says, 'When I was in school, we did it this way,' " Jody said. "But most of his advice is practical and common-sense things that really do work."

"He's real nice about not being intrusive and won't offer advice unless we ask," Molly said. "But we do ask."

Family files

• Gus Moorhead

Age: 74.

Residence: Versailles, Ind.

Principal (retired): South Ripley High School, Versailles.

Total years as principal: 23 (all at South Ripley).

Advice to prospective principals: "Surround yourself with a good staff, especially the person in charge of discipline. Once you set a pattern or tone, things will run pretty smooth."

• Molly Moorhead

Age: 52.

Residence: Springdale.

Principal: Princeton Junior High School (since 2001).

Total years as principal: Three (all at Princeton).

Advice to prospective principals: "Be willing to listen to people, and be kind and gracious to your staff. A happy staff makes a happy school. When they're happy, it benefits the children."

• Jody Jordan

Age: 51.

Residence: Naples, Fla.

Principal: Osceola Elementary School, Naples (since 2002).

Total years as principal: 10.

Advice to prospective principals: "Remember that you were a teacher first and you have to support them. And remember that people are the most important thing. Paperwork is secondary."

• Jane Rogers

Age: 41.

Residence: Versailles, Ind.

Principal: Milan Elementary School, Milan, Ind. (since 2003)

Total years as principal: Three.

Advice to prospective principals: "Be willing to serve others, find the good in others and do your best everyday. It comes down to giving your heart and soul to the job."

• Rob Moorhead

Age: 39.

Residence: Aurora, Ind.

Principal: South Dearborn High School, Aurora (since 2003).

Total years as principal: One.

Advice to prospective principals: "Building relationships with teachers and students is the biggest key. People need to know that your door is always open, even if you disagree with them about something."

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E-mail williamcroyle@yahoo.com