Theory Can Only Take You So Far: I met with Patrick Mongrain, a veteran teacher and entrepenuer. He has held many roles in schools, and recently came out with an App called Edchanger Pro. This app helps school leaders transform ‘classroom observations with real-time engagement tracking, instant analytics, and researched-backed professional development resources. If you want to learn more, reach out to Patrick at: Pmongrain65@comcast.net. This was a fascinating conversation and there is so much to write about, but I always narrow it down to 3 takeaways.

1. The Power of Systems in Education
2. Be Agents of Your Own Learning
3. Balance Does Not Mean Staying in the Center

Walk With Who You Serve
Cheryl Johnson and I were connected by our mutual connection, Jethro Jones. Cheryl has had a different career path than many of the education leaders I interviewed. She spent most of her career in Training and Development for different corporations. Cheryl wrote the book, the Ambition: The Missing Atribute in Your Employess about how to bridge the gap between school and/or work, and how educators find their balance in life through harmonic leadership. We talked about many things, but I always narrow it down to 3 main ideas:

1. Corporate Training vs. K-12 Education

2. The Ambition Quotient

3. Harmonic Leadership

Be a Perpetual Learner: I met with Dr. Adeyemi Stembridge, a force in the education world around Culturally Responsive Education. I have been fortunate enough to work with him at multiple schools and see his work first hand. He does an incredible job pushing teachers and leaders in their practices to help them support students on a deeper level. Be sure to check out his work and his numerous books at his website: https://www.dryemis.com/. We talked about many things, but I always narrow it down to three key takeaways.

1. Find Your Passion
2. When is your ‘High Octane Cognative Capacity Time?’
3. Fulfillment over Balance