(Photo by Kris Todd) Cowboy boots are a common sight in Albert "Al" Laboranti's office at Clay Central/Everly High School. They represent not only his love for the country and Texas, but also serve as a reminder of friend Vinny Del Negro, the Chicago Bulls' new head coach. The two grew up together in Springfield, Mass.

Daily Reporter Staff

As soon as he begins speaking, it's easy to tell that the new Clay Central/Everly High School principal is a native of Massachusetts. Albert "Al" Laboranti's accent is a bit different than that of a native northwest Iowan's.

While his desire to cultivate strong students and teachers is on-target with that of other administrators nationwide, it's Laboranti's truly motivational outlook on life, and achieving success in all areas of it, that make him so likable. His enthusiasm is catchy.

"Having an attitude of gratitude, and of being grateful, is my mantra," he said. "...I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'm looking forward to the responsibility," he said of his new administrative role at CC/E. "I'm also looking forward to growing and to learning. I'm very thankful for this opportunity."

The 2008-09 school year will mark the start of the 44-year-old's 20th year in education. After receiving an undergraduate degree in business management and a master's degree in school administration, Laboranti earned a certificate of advanced graduate studies from Bridgewater State College.

He served as a business teacher, as well as a football, basketball and baseball coach at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District in Cape Cod, Mass. for 12 years. His ninth year there, Laboranti was awarded an Educator of the Year award by his peers at the four-grade high school, which hosted 900 students.

Laboranti then moved onto Old Rochester Regional High School, where he served as assistant principal and the head boys basketball coach the last seven years. This Mattapoisett, Mass.-based high school hosts approximately 750 students.

"It's a very high-achieving, motivated (school)," Laboranti said of Old Rochester Regional High School and its students. "They had awesome musicians, athletes, drama, art and a lot of clubs. ... I think about 85 percent of the school goes on to post-secondary education."

When asked why he and his wife, Amy, who taught English classes at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School for 13 years, chose to move to northwest Iowa, Laboranti explained that they were ready for a change.

"I was doing a lot of praying with my wife, and we felt that for the time now we needed to go back and be close to her family. ... We felt in our hearts that this was really the place to be," he said. "...So, I applied at a number of schools, had an interview in April, came here, met Mr. (Monte) Montgomery and some of the teachers and just really felt at home here. It clicked."

Of his April interview with CC/E representatives, Laboranti said, "I liked the genuineness and the sincerity of the people. In talking with the teachers, they were all very positive about the school. They were also very encouraging about the student body: They said it was a wonderful student body to work with. I just felt a peace here and a comfort level that was unique. I also felt at ease with Mr. Montgomery and the staff."

As the Laborantis relocated from Massachusetts, they chose to live with Amy's parents, Jim and Kathleen Ludens, in Orange City. Laboranti, who has been commuting to the Everly school building since July 28, reported they are currently looking into purchasing a condominium in Okoboji.

Looking forward to the upcoming year, the high school principal explained his first goal is to get acclimated to the school and his new surroundings. In addition to familiarizing himself with policies and procedures already in place, Laboranti said he's looking forward to working with the teachers, "to make them the best teachers that they can become in helping these students achieve success in all areas of their endeavors."

"I really want to do a lot with instructional practices, academic engagement, relevance of the courses and classes, and the rigor," Laboranti said. "...With a small school like this, I also really want to get to know the student body. I plan to be visible during the school day and get into classrooms, and do some walkthroughs and observations to see who's teaching what and how they're teaching it.

"But everything that we do, in my mind, centers around and caters to the individual student and what's best for that student. And, we need to do a good job in meeting the needs of those students, whether it's our at-risk students or the higher-level, overachieving students."

Laboranti indicated the strong "family atmosphere" he's witnessed in northwest Iowa to date is a motivator for him.

As he visits about what he expects and hopes to happen over the next year, it also becomes clear that Laboranti views himself not only as the high school building's leader and disciplinarian, but as its coach. He's ready to motivate and encourage, as well as to instill teamwork.

"What I've learned from this staff in a short period of time is that they're willing to go above and beyond," Laboranti said. "They're really a good staff, and they're willing to go the extra mile for the students."

"It's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't care who gets the credit," he added. "And that's very important to me -- that we work together as a team and for what's in the best interest of the students."

Laboranti guaranteed he works hard to emulate and model the behaviors he expects from adults and students alike that he deals with on a daily basis.

"It doesn't always happen," he admitted, "but I feel that it's very important to be an example. Actions speak louder than words. We need to be clear with our expectations of students. We need to be firm, but fair. ... And, we need to be positive, optimistic and encouraging. That's what students need."

Pulling out a three-ring binder from the bookcase near the desk in his office, Laboranti chuckled as he explained it contains his "Al-isms for sports, education and life." The multitude of parables, quotes and sayings it holds, he hopes, bring home points.

He flips to an example on worry. It reads: "Worry is like a rocking chair: It gives you something to do, but gets you nowhere." Another, on enthusiasm, states: "Enthusiasm needs to be caught; it can't be taught." The concept of goals is also covered in Laboranti's book of "Al-isms": "Sometimes you need to be specific with your goals. But a goal without a date is only a wish."

* On a personal note, as can be expected with his growing up in Massachusetts, Laboranti is a big fan of the Boston Celtics, the New England Patriots, the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Bruins. CC/E's new high school principal is also a fan of the arts.