Dear New Superintendent…

Lord have mercy. We have seen too much drama in education over the past four years. We were just getting into a position to talk intelligently of equity, systems change, purposeful assessment, and child centered policy. Sadly we were sucked into a vortex of voodoo science, inaccurate use of the term indoctrination, backtracking of policies, and a 1950s acceptance of white-privilege. Covid-19 just pushed us over the edge. Today we are seeing district leaders move, quit, vacate, step down, etc. at what seems like an unusual rate. As yet another community prepares to welcome a new superintendent, here are a few words to send these new leaders on their way.

Dear New Superintendent,

Your journey to this point is yours to own. You never reach this point in your career without a few lessons, laughs, and tears.

You have been brought into this role because you bring valued skill, insight, and perspective. Your journey has demonstrated your readiness for this work.

You are here to take action. You are not here to maintain the status quo.

You are not here to be a tornado whipping through the system. You are here to lead. To be bold in your vision, compassionate in your drive of much needed change, disruptive of tradition and expectations that hold us back, and thoughtful in your questions to those around you…