Principal EL's Books:
The Immortality of Influence
—We CanBuild the Best Minds of the Next Generation
Influenced in no small part by the powerful mentors in his own youth, the award-winning educator and acclaimed author of I Choose to Stay offers a commonsense, inspiring road map to mentoring kids to thrive in today’s challenging world—and creating a legacy of success for generations to come.
In The Immortality of Influence, with a foreword by Will Smith, Salome Thomas-EL has an action plan that all of us—educators, businesspeople, volunteers, relatives and everyday folks—can use to reach out to the young people in our lives. For any caring adult, this book is an essential guide to making a difference—not just for today, but forever.
The Immortality of Influence is Available at:
I Choose to Stay
Teacher Salome Thomas-EL first learned he had been promoted and transferred to another school in November of 1997. He had been a teacher at Roberts Vaux Middle School in Philadelphia’s inner city since 1989. The promotion came not only because he had helped to improve morale and discipline at his school, but also he had taught children to play chess and they went on to win local and national competitions. Besides a $20,000 raise, he would have authority to make changes and greater opportunities to influence a larger number of students. He turned down the promotion.“I can’t leave my students,” he said. “What happens if they come in on Monday and I’m not here? They’ll say, ‘He left because of the money, and I don’t want them to think that way. I’m the only male role model many of these kids have. I want them to know at least one black male who is committed to stay.”
When he visited Vaux Middle School in 1999, Arnold Schwarzenegger was so impressed by Thomas-EL, he “came bahkkk” again in 2000 and his foundation gave the school a $20,000 grant.
“Thomas-EL has touched many people in his lifetime.......and will affect many more in the generations to come!”
-Arnold Schwarzenegger
Inspiring and warmly human, Salome Thomas-EL is a true hero. His book, "I Choose to Stay”, is moving and full of hope, and proves beyond a doubt that a commitment to teaching in the public schools can result in excellence and success for those
children most of society has abandoned.
I Choose to Stay is Available at:
Get Your Own Signed Copy of Principal EL's Books!
To get your own signed copy of either one of Principal EL's inspirational books, send an email to thomas-el@att.net with your Name, Address, Quantity, and Titles you would like!