Principal's day begins long before the bell rings

"I come in around 5 a.m. to catch up on my busy work," the East Middle School principal explains shortly after 6 a.m."I use this time to answer emails and the administrative things I won't have time for once the school day starts."

Sure enough, Rogers will seldom be in his office during the course of the day.

"When the morning bell rings, I prefer to be out in the hallway or in the classrooms, interacting with my staff and students," he says with a shrug. "I'll be there for them until the final bells rings."

In fact, Rogers' day won't really end until later tonight, since he's a  fixture at all of East Middle's sporting and music events.

"If you're a principal, you're an instructional leader, a role model and a cheerleader all wrapped in one," he says, sorting through email. "I'm sure it's true for every principal in the Sioux City School District."

A Sioux City School administrator since 1995, Rogers became an assistant principal at West Middle School before becoming principal at Unity Elementary School. He's been at East Middle School for the past two years.

"I grew up in a military family where I was encouraged to always aim higher," he says. "That was true when it came to my education and it was true for my career."

It is this discipline that Rogers wants to instill in his students.

"Academics is only one aspect that we want to teach our children," he said. "We want a school full of honor roll students but we also want them to become good citizens."

Rogers has East Middle's motto painted on the wall of his office. 

It says: "Excel in treating others the way you want to be treated. Make a positive difference. Stand up and put others first."

"That's EMS for you," Rogers says, pointing to the wall. "Those are words to live by."

But words are merely words when there's no follow-through. He knows that.

Rogers says he likes to tell a story at the beginning of each school year.

"What would happen if you came across a kid who was in bad shape along the side of the street," he says. "Would you help him or would you look away? What if the injured kid was someone who disrespected you. Would you help him or think he's getting what he deserved?"

"Students need to learn empathy, loyalty and to put people first," Rogers continues. "Also, respect is so important. You've got to know how to give and know how to show it."

By 7 a.m., Rogers' staff begins to make it into the school. He credits them for much of East Middle's success.

"We're all in this together," he says. "Everybody's on the same team."

Rogers also credits his wife Dawn for putting up with his unusual hours.

"(Dawn) knows why I'm at work so much," he says, smiling. "She just wishes I was home at dinnertime more often."

In addition, Rogers says, his faith is very important.

"I've always believed that God will guide you," he says as students begin filing into the halls of East Middle School. "And give you the rest that you need."

As he greets students while they walk by, Rogers says, "Apparently, I don't need that much rest."