This past week has been nothing short of amazing! I have spent the week in California gaining valuable knowledge that will prepare me for my future aspirations. A few months ago I was selected to take part in The School Superintendents Association (AASA) National Aspiring Superintendents Academy. This is a year long blended program led by some dynamic Superintendents who are willing to share their knowledge and prepare future Superintendents for success. People have asked me do I want to be a superintendent in the future. My answer to that is quite simple. I want to be prepared for whatever path God leads me.

There are 35 participants in the program from 18 states. Many with different backgrounds and everyone currently serving in various roles from assistant superintendents to principals. We spent an entire day getting to know who were are/knowing ourselves and this truly made me do some thinking. We did an activity using value cards and this was an eye opener experience for me. I hope to share this with others including my staff. Outside of the great networking opportunity, there were many powerful conversations had and powerful statements made. Below are just some of the quotes or words that I noted during my time with my fellow cohort members. I plan to expand on these in later posts.

1. No one is coming to save us!

2. If we do not educate these students with their best interest in mine, we are basically committing “education malpractice!”

3. How woke are you?

4. Don’t let numbers define you

5. Focus and efficiency

6. How can we help ourselves and fellow educators recognize their possible biases.

Wow is all I can say! I can’t wait to explore and engage in conversation with others about these statements and questions. I am looking for to a year of great learning in this program.