EDUCATION LEAGUE HONORS PRINCIPAL AT LITTLEROCK HIGH.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer

When Jeff Foster became principal of brand-new Littlerock High School in 1989, it was a ``primitive, spartan'' campus with portable classrooms, portable diesel generators and bottled water.

Despite the less than ideal conditions, Foster recalls, it was an exciting time working with a dedicated staff and an eager freshmen class of 351 students who watched their permanent school being built next door.

The students and staff moved onto the new campus near 108th Street East and Avenue R three years later, and the enrollment at is now at 2,287.

``We've come a long way,'' Foster said. ``The school has come of age. We've taken our place as a school not only in the high school district but among schools in the Southland.''

That maturation was reinforced Wednesday when Foster was named California League of High Schools' Educator of the Year for the region stretching from Long Beach to San Luis Obispo. The award recognized his contributions toward change, innovation and reform in education.

Foster, 40, will be honored at the league's convention in Anaheim from April 26 to 28.

``It's very exciting and validating,'' Foster said. ``I feel strongly that although it's an individual award, it's really for the school at large and the staff.''

Implementing block scheduling, where classes meet in longer sessions two days a week; co-authoring a proposal for a $1.1 million NASA grant to create an interactive multimedia curriculum to encourage math and science education; and establishing career paths for students were some of accomplishments noted by the committee that selected Foster from 10 nominees.

Others included his emphasis on technology and creating ``freshman academies'' where ninth-graders are shared among three teachers to ease their transition from a middle school to a high school environment.

``We felt it was his leadership skills that helped develop the reform effort at Littlerock High School that stood out and was deserving of recognition,'' said Keiko Hentell, assistant principal at Van Nuys High School and a member of the selection panel.

``What we try to do is put in place programs that allow kids to operate and learn in a powerful setting,'' Foster said. ``The learning received as students is in-depth with a complete understanding. It's more than facts and figures. They understand the value of knowledge and see the connection of what they learn and how to connect it to their lives.''

Among parents, he is known as being a dedicated administrator who is receptive to their concerns and always has his door open to those in the community.

``I think he's a very good educator,'' said Bertha Smith, the parent-volunteer coordinator who has a son in the 10th grade at Littlerock. ``He's a good leader because when I have a concern he tries to address it right away.''

Smith said she became active at the school after Foster encouraged her to attend the monthly principal advisory council meetings. She said he is ``really gung-ho'' about student academics, and this week came to work when he was sick to observe students competing in a track meet.

``He wanted to be there as principal to show he supports them,'' Smith said. ``That's dedication.''

Foster began his educational career as a social studies teacher and activities director in the Simi Valley High School District. In 1986, he came to the Antelope Valley where he served as vice principal at Quartz Hill High School for three years.

Among his many duties, Foster chairs a multicultural committee of students, which addresses possible intercultural conflicts and was responsible for ``channeling students' responses to (the anti-immigrant) Proposition 187 in a positive direction,'' according to Foster's nomination letter.

``I think Mr. Foster is probably one of the foremost leaders in the district and in the area for education reform. He's had this vision for a number of years of where Littlerock High ought to be,'' said Michael Clark, vice principal. ``He's an inspiration to the entire staff in terms of innovation.''

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Photo: (AV only--color) Littlerock High Principal Jeff Fost er has been named a California League of High Schools' Educator of the Year for his dedication.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News