Leading Education Forward

President's Corner

Leadership matters. Leadership always has mattered, but never as much as it does today. Public school leaders have guided their schools and districts through one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history, a time when our country has been fractured by a pandemic and by political division.

Not only is leadership critical during these divisive times, so is leadership style. Now is the time for leaders to work with all stakeholders to establish a clear and compelling vision for the future and have the courage to carry out that vision.

Reflecting on more than 30 years of experience in public education, I firmly believe that, despite these difficult times, more factors bring us together than tear us apart. One thing that unites us is a shared resolve to do whatever it takes to meet the unique needs of each student in our care.

To focus on the core of what we all agree to be true, we must commit to listening with empathy. Everyone wants to be heard, and everyone has a right to be heard. As leaders, we can set an example by listening to and showing respect for different points of view. Really listening to learn, rather than to respond, is an essential first step as we do the work of bringing our communities back together.

Setting a clear, compelling and positive vision for the future is key to our success. We must set goals in order to achieve them, and we can’t settle for reverting to “normal” after the pandemic is fully behind us. We have an opportunity and a responsibility to focus on the continuous improvement of our schools and use the lessons we have learned during the pandemic to ensure every student finds success in our schools.

Now is the time to bring our communities together to imagine and execute a bold and positive vision for the future of education. AASA launched the Learning 2025 initiative to transform education to be more student-centered, equity-focused and forward-reaching. I invite you to join us in this crucial work. Learn more by visiting the Learning 2025 website, and consider joining us as we focus on reimagining and transforming our schools to meet the needs of the whole student.

Ever-Growing Insistency

Architect Daniel Burnham said, “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir (one’s) blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans, aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency.”

We must be courageous as we lead this work. It will not be easy, and there will be obstacles at every turn, but our communities, staff and, most importantly, our students deserve our very best. Let’s keep our focus on serving each child in our care, and let’s continually remind our communities that there is more that unites us than divides us. Leadership matters.

In this, my final column as AASA president, I thank all of you for everything you do to serve our students each day. You are heroes, and I stand in awe of all you have done and are doing to serve your communities during one of the greatest crises of our times.

As you continue to lead your schools with vision, gratitude and empathy, please know you are not alone, and you are loved.