When building a house, the very first—and arguably most important—step is laying a strong, stable foundation. Without it, the entire structure is at risk, no matter how beautiful the design or how skilled the workers who bring that design to life. A solid foundation not only supports the weight of the home but also establishes a reliable base that sets the stage for expert teams—framers, electricians, roofers, and more—to do their best, highly skilled work with efficiency, confidence, and purpose.
In much the same way, leading a school is about building, refining, and maintaining that foundational core. As principals, we are the intentional builders—responsible for casting a clear vision, setting meaningful expectations, and ensuring the groundwork is strong enough to support every initiative, every teacher, and every learner. We don’t micromanage the work of our talented teachers or dedicated staff, just as a builder doesn’t dictate every movement of the plumber or electrician. Instead, we create the right conditions in which everyone can thrive, excel, and innovate confidently.
What does that foundation look like in a school? It’s made up of a clear and shared vision, high expectations for student and adult learning, a culture built on trust, and unwavering support. It is deeply rooted in genuine relationships, a shared sense of accountability, and clarity of purpose. When that foundation is well-built, thoughtfully maintained, and actively cared for, expert educators—each with their own unique strengths and perspectives—can plug in, innovate, and inspire change that truly matters.
I’ve spent a significant amount of time reflecting on my own journey as both a teacher and a leader. In the classroom, I was the expert in my specific content area. I knew how to teach math and guide a meaningful problem solving, but I would have struggled to teach subjects like chemistry or Spanish with the same confidence. Now, as a principal, I recognize that my role is not to become the expert in every subject, but to be the expert in building the foundation where excellence in all areas can grow and flourish.
That means fostering a culture where risk-taking is encouraged, collaboration is not just valued but expected, and progress is celebrated at every level. It means protecting and nurturing what we’ve built together—our shared values, our collective goals, and our unshakable "why." Mistakes will undoubtedly happen. Initiatives will shift direction. Plans will evolve over time. But if our foundation remains intact, robust, and resilient, we will always have something strong and reliable to build on, regardless of the challenges we face.
Simplicity is key. We don’t need a thousand new ideas to achieve growth and success; we need careful, consistent attention to the right ideas that truly matter. My role as a principal is to trust, uplift, and inspire the talented people around me, to remove the obstacles that stand in their way, and to keep our foundational core strong. In doing so, we create a school where students and staff alike can grow, thrive, and reach their full, unique potential.
Let’s build with intention, support each other relentlessly, and never lose sight of the fact that everything rests on the enduring strength of what lies beneath our feet.
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