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The first article I ever had published was a really big deal to me. This was back in the day, when I was working as a Model Schools Staff Specialist at our "County" BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services). I had written something; someone thought it was worthy of publishing, and there it was. My name. My words. My ideas. In print. When the editor asked for my byline, I included my name, title, and the organization I worked for. The article was published, and when I

Why are there mirrors in a dance studio? The obvious answer is that dancers need to see themselves. They need to check their posture, placement, alignment, timing, and technique. They need to see whether the movement they believe they are making is the movement they are actually making. The mirrors are not there so dancers can simply admire themselves. They are there to provide information. A dancer may feel that an arm is fully extended when it is slightly bent. A turn may f

Leadership and life both teach a difficult lesson about expectations. Many of us show up fully for others. We celebrate their successes, offer support during hard moments, send the message, make the call, and give our time and energy without hesitation. Sometimes that care is returned. Sometimes it is not. When support is not reciprocated, it can feel personal. Many adults respond by expressing frustration publicly or privately. Social media posts appear about wishing people

Sometimes you need to give the control to someone else. That’s what a coach is for. She made the top 20 at Nationals. They pulled for position. She pulled 20. Last to go. Almost an hour to sit with the weight of it. I handed her over. Lipstick. Hairspray. A deep breath. I walked away. I went to the stands and trusted someone else to do what they do best; to coach. To ground her. To steady her nerves. To help her set her mindset when mine was spinning. As a parent, this is har

What Hot Air Balloons Teach Us About Leadership Each year, our county’s hot air balloon festival fills the sky with color, reminding us...