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Thoughtful Thursday: The Gift of Being Terrible at First "There’s nothing like being really bad to make you want to be better." — Bill Murray Bill Murray once said this about his early improv days with John Candy. Back then, no one wanted to share a scene with them. They were awkward, unpolished, and unpredictable. Within that discomfort lived the spark of something extraordinary. Those rough beginnings became the foundation for the artistry and timing that made them icons. I

Cold Mornings in the Fall The first breath outside bites a little, and everything slows; the porch step, the car’s defrost, the sun taking its time. Cold reminds the body to notice: the warmth in your mug, the weight of your scarf, the way the air wakes your lungs. This is a season that invites gentler starts and deliberate choices. Try this today Pause at the door for three deep breaths before stepping out. Wrap your hands around a warm mug and name one thing you’re grateful

There’s a special kind of damage that happens when someone unready for leadership gains power. It’s not always loud or visible. Sometimes it’s whispered in group chats named “sabotage.” Sometimes it’s measured on a dry-erase board that reads, “Days since someone cried.” Sometimes it’s hidden behind a smile and a stolen credit for another person’s work. I have seen all of it. Leaders who weaponize control, who hoard information, who keep mental (and sometimes literal) files on

Fundamental Friday: Reimagining Tradition in Public Spaces Every October, schools across the country prepare for costume parades, themed...

The Stories We Wear “Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story.” – Mason Cooley Every day, we choose what story to tell through our words, actions, and even our presence. What we wear can be a reflection of who we are, what we value, and how we want to show up in the world. In education and leadership, our “costumes” go beyond fabric. They include the roles we take on, the confidence we carry, and the authenticity we bring to every interaction. Uniforms, badges, and tit

The Art of Letting Go As the leaves turn and fall, nature reminds us that release is not loss, it’s renewal. Trees don’t cling to what once was; they trust that new growth will come in its time. The same is true for us. When we hold tightly to old patterns, past seasons, or outdated expectations, we leave little room for the new ideas, relationships, and opportunities waiting to emerge. Letting go is about making space. It’s about choosing peace over perfection and presence o

A few weeks after I left a leadership role, one of the principals I had supervised reached out with a simple text: “I miss the way you...

When Classroom Management Becomes Emotional Exhaustion There is a quiet exhaustion that can settle into even the most seasoned teachers....

“Butterflies are self-propelled flowers.” – Robert A. Heinlein Leadership often depends on how we choose to see. Do we see only the...

The Mirror of Public Service Public service is not only what we do—it is who we are when no one is watching. It asks us to look inward...

Choosing to work in public education is not simply a career path; it is a calling to serve entire communities. If you are entering public...

Fundamental Friday: Learning How to Fail Failure. For many of us, that word still carries weight; red ink on a paper, a closed door, a...

"Failure is not the opposite of success, it's part of success." – Arianna Huffington Too often, failure gets framed as an ending....

Learning From Failure When was the last time you failed at something? It could have been big or small, a project that didn’t unfold as...

Dance as a Leadership and Team Journey Leadership is often described as strategic, structured, or systematic. Another way to think about...

Fundamental Friday: "Explain It to Me Like I’m in Kindergarten" Isn’t a Step Back, It’s the First Step Forward The first time a student...

“Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” – Dr. Jane Goodall When we pause to...

Seasons Shift, Leaders Adapt As the leaves start to change, they don’t force it. They respond to the season. Leadership is like that....

Grace is often spoken of in religious contexts, but it is also a profoundly human value. At its core, grace is generosity without...

Fundamental Friday: Becomes, Not Outcomes In education, we often hear the term' outcomes.' Test scores. Graduation rates. College...