"Paul Silvia, executive director (principal) of the New England Laborers Construction Career Academy in Cranston, is actually a psychologist. Yes, the school is for kids interested in working in construction and other occupations the International Laborers Union represents, like nursing assistants and building inspectors. But many students come to this high school because they’ve been unsuccessful or miserable in traditional schools. So Silvia’s first huge hurdle with each kid is helping him or her get with the basics of success — showing up and on time, behaving civilly, managing impulses."
