When I found the toilet bowl cleaner that actually worked (ZEP), I was so relieved.
When I discover the shoes that were so comfy, stylish and last forever (Clarks), I felt like I accomplished something.
To finally find the resource, people and organization that understands what I am facing and where I ultimately want to go (CSM), I've been changed.
No disrespect in comparing CSM to shoes and TB cleaner, but if you knew the arduous journey (as some of you do) to search high and low for years and try everything under the sun to solve these needs, you will relate to what I am saying.
I've paid for education. Lots of it - but I simply could not find the people able or willing to meet me where I was as at as a school leader. I had worked my tail off and had a good school. But we want a great school and we want to be able to communicate what we do to others.
I got my Masters Degree in education, I went to conferences galor, including leadership conferences, I paid for consulting from business consultants, non profit consultants and educational consultants - I sometimes left with nuggets of wisdom so small- you would have mistaken them for chicken nuggets at Micky D's.
Then I met Bill. Now I don't want Bill to get a big head - but wow. When he spoke to a group of us at a Christian Montessori Conference- I was blown away. He actually not only knew what he was talking about from personal experience - he understood what I struggled with from years of research into what school leaders all over deal with. It's an important difference.
And Bill is not a mild mannered boring guy....Bill tells you like it is. Kind of like the way that really wise old widow at your church looks at you straight in the eyes and tells you the most profound and sometimes painful things because they love you and they want the best for you and they care more about helping you than you liking them.
But it's even better than that, because Bill also LISTENS! Actively listens and helps you process what is going on in your own head and the revelations waiting to emerge. Then sits back and celebrates the idea that was born. I mean, being the school leader can be challenging. No one else in your school or even family really has that job and can relate to the numerous small victories needed for transformation to occur. But Bill gets it and he genuinely enjoys and honors your accomplishments along the way.
When people like Bill and Simon show up and extend a hand offering their wisdom to help your school... go for it. You'll get more than nuggets if wisdom, you'll get clarity to take your school and your personal career to the next level, and the next, and the next...
Thanks Bill - you really are great and I'm so glad I met you!
Denise Marti, Head of School
Providence: A Christian Montessori Community
David Funk –
Excellent article backed with statistical verification to make the case for why school board’s need to plan on funding the mission of the school with excellence in mind.