“Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.”
— Simon Sinek
It is a turbulent time for the field of education in The United States…then again, education might always be in turbulent times. Today, across the country school leaders, parents, students, and advocates for every school stakeholder are navigating a political and cultural landscape that feels more divided–and ideologically charged–than ever before. Debates about equity, equality, access, curriculum, funding, even the existence of a Federal Department of Education have shifted from policy discussions to deeply emotional territory.
For many educators, the criticism and pressure around our field and professions have become motivations to step away. Others see it as a call to action, a reason to dig their heels in the sand. They see the turmoil and are reminded that leadership, advocacy, and service matter now more than when times were easy. Some remain in the classroom, others move into administration and leadership. The call to leadership can take many forms, some become building or district administrators, others become coaches, curriculum designers, or take active roles in their unions. There are many routes to leading, and they don’t all come with a clipboard or a desk. Many teachers lead just by staying in the classroom and being incredible at their job; keeping the focus on their students.
Education is a Team Sport, Not a Solo Act
Whatever the pathway, teaching isn’t a solo act. For each of our students, their teachers are involved in a relay race that takes years to complete and dozens to participate. Each educator takes a baton for a brief moment–a school year, a term, a 45 minute period; the length doesn’t matter. Rarely do these participants get to witness the finish line of the diploma, the graduation ceremony, or the long-term impact. Nonetheless, each person from the classroom to the district office, and many beyond the limitations of the school organization, take part. They ensure that the track in the race is safe, that the goals are clear, that the support system ensure a fair race, and that everything is done with competence and confidence.
Leadership isn’t about authority, it’s about taking responsibility to make sure that others can do what they need to do to ensure that students cultivate the best version of themselves. District and organizational leaders support the building leaders, who support the teachers, who then ensure that the students do the work they need to. Parents, of course also play a clear role in this, and as educators we have to partner with them to create the support to make sure the race starts with a bang, that endurance is high, and that there is confetti at the end of the track.
Service and Support
The research is clear, leadership that inspires, empowers, and protects people is leadership that endures. Over more than two decades in the field of education, I’ve worked nearly every role a school offers–classroom teacher, substitute, mentor, coach, union delegate, curriculum leader…I’ve even worked with the custodial staff during breaks. I’ve supported students from pre-K to graduate school.
One truth is constant: when everyone shows up for the kids, the kids thrive.
When we build trust on this common service to the students in our charge, nothing can stop the progress. Communities entrust educators with their most valuable treasures–their children. We must approach our calling as a service that demands humility, clarity, and service. The future of education isn’t served by our egos, or by the whims of election cycles. The future requires moral clarity, collective responsibility, and well developed vision.
The Stakes Have Never Been Higher
Nobody likes to talk about the COVID-19 Pandemic anymore. Adults are eager to pretend it didn’t happen and get back to normal…but many of our students today spent a great deal of their lives in the pandemic. Some of the things that seem normal to them were crisis mode for us. Unfortunately, that means that post-pandemic learning gaps, emotional burdens, and social disruptions have to be addressed with the funding inequities and the ongoing policy uncertainty in place by the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education.
This is not a political statement, for over 40 years, laws guiding Special Education, Civil Rights, funding, and many other foundational aspects of education have gone through that department. As the DoE is changed, whether it is fully abolished or rebuilt as something different under another administration, it will require the vision of leadership to determine how our schools and students are affected.
Change is rigorous and unyielding. We have to support teachers to avoid burnout and address the inequities that will arise from change, while adapting to the times and maintaining their passion for learning. While the challenges ahead may be driven by the politics of the moment and education has always been in the crosshairs, the goals are simple and pure. We must provide transformative and expansive experiences for our students through steady leadership, grounded in values that are guided by research and experience.
Rededication
This blog exists to explore educational issues and topics, leadership and pedagogy,curriculum, support, organization, politics, culture, all the intersections between them and more. (And of course, some personal diversions from time to time). The goal here is not to provide finality to the big questions but to ask better questions, make new mistakes after addressing old ones, and to have meaningful discussions about how to move forward in our learning. In rededicating this site with those aims, I look forward to exploring difficult times together and finding meaningful growth on the far end of every conversation.