Eight out of thirteen assignments completed and turned in. I have so much more to do and really have no business in pausing to write something NOT related to graduate work, but I am compelled to pause right now to say something important to my Darlington Community, which is this:
WE DO A LOT OF THINGS RIGHT!
Many of you know that I am working on a Masters in Independent School Leadership at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College. Over the last four weeks, I have been diving into the world of independent schools with fifteen other aspiring independent school leaders who hail from Rhode Island, Detroit, Florida and everywhere in between. My time here has been tremendous! We have discussed everything from the broad definition of leadership, to admission/financial aid, to marketing, to strategic planning, to governance of schools. The structure of our day is long and, at times tiring, but the expertise and topics are energizing!
As I leave the classroom each day, I realize how proud I am to be associated with Darlington and you, as a community should be, too! We do many things right day in and day out in service to our many constituencies. We all work hard every to make good decisions in our classrooms, in our dorms, on our fields and in our studios that will enable Darlington to keep moving forward. I have been made keenly aware through my classes that Darlington is doing a great job -- not just in the measurements of today, but in measurements for tomorrow. Ultimately, our goal is to be purposeful, positive stewards of the treasure that Darlington is.
To be sure, Darlington should seek to improve and evolve because, in doing so, we model our mission of learning with passion. We show our students what it looks like to grow and try new things. Thank you, colleagues, who have answered my questions over these last weeks to help ME grow and learn new things. I appreciate you!
Be proud, Darlington Community. Look for the good because there is much to be found! I have really enjoyed my time here, but I look forward to coming home and getting back into the game. For now, though, it’s back to a stack of reading and several papers to write.
