LEADING THROUGH LISTENING

Throughout life, we are constantly provided with opportunities. As adults, we are provided many opportunities, some that we create through our own initiative and hard work and others because of who we are. Regardless, opportunity is one of the components that makes up the American Dream. Our students in today's society also have opportunity. I think back to when I was in high school and I had 10% of the opportunities that our children in RFA have today. Whether it be in terms of access and opportunity to college level coursework, opportunities to participate in the JROTC program, the access and opportunities that students have through BOCES and our own technology program, or the myriad of clubs and athletic opportunities that students have; the chance to find a sense of belonging and growth exists. While our students have opportunity through school, I often ask the question if they have the capacity to access their opportunities. While as adults we have the privilege to create ...

As we watch golfer Jordan Spieth re-write the record books this weekend in The Masters tournament, it reminds me of the opportunities that we all have to affect positive change in our history. Although I am an avid golfer, I believe that the similarities between golf and life are abundant and easily understood by all. In order to position himself for this weekend's tournament where he can re-write history (or in his case create it), Spieth has not won a single tournament this season after dominating golf last year. Not only has he not won, but he really hasn't been competitive. What does this have to do with education? It's simple, keep your eye on the prize! Along the road there are all kinds of little tasks and larger tasks that all lead to one goal; COMPLETION!! In public school it doesn't matter if you are first or last or somewhere in the middle. It's not a competition against your classmates or your teachers, it's a competition against the system. And ...

Continuing some of last week's thoughts on educational grit, I wanted to write a bit about being agents of change in our educational institutions. On a daily basis I have conversations with people about climate, culture, and basically the "good old days" when teaching and learning were done at the discretion of the professionals and not guided by verbose curriculums and exams. I am a believer that the current world of education and the past world of education can live in harmony. Yes there are more and more mandates coming down from many places, but the mandates have never told us exactly what and how to teach. They are more or less a set of goals and desires for our students. We all want the same thing for our kids, the difference is who is setting the goals. I say, regardless of what we are "required" to do, we still control our own destiny with a little bit of grit. Playing the new game is a challenge and it takes some brutal honesty, courage, trust, and te...