August 6, 2022

A New Beginning 

Here's to all the school leaders anticipating what might be the first "typical" school start in three years. And here's to all the leaders new to their schools eagerly awaiting the moment when all of those people they met individually and in small groups over the summer converge on campus and start weaving the fabric of community. This edition of Ahead in the Count salutes everyone who has endured the travails of the past several years and maintains the hope and a plan to recapture a flow state, the "with-itness" that Gladwell describes in one of my favorite pieces about what constitutes great teaching that is the invariable backdrop of educators' stories about their favorite school moments. The pieces contained here all reflect on how school leaders can build the gift for noticing, for attuning oneself to the social data of community and being in places where it is rich. Hint: little is to be found in the Head's office. Have fun getting out there. If you try to visit 4 classrooms every morning, visit 6 this year. Clear your calendar for the hour surrounding dismissal and try to get in on at least one game of "HORSE" with the extended day kids each week. Meet with people on their turf.