I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people & processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.
Be the reason,
someone feels important and understood.
Be the reason someone smiles when they see you and carries on during all the difficult days.
Be the reason someone feels joy and strength and that they can breathe again.
And what I know from the research is that we should never underestimate the benefit to a child of having a place to belong— even one —where they can take off their armor. It can and often does change the trajectory of their life.
We must be guardians of a space that allows students to breathe and be curious and explore the world and be who they are without suffocation. They deserve one place where they can rumble with vulnerability and their hearts can exhale.
Create a space in our schools and classrooms where all students can walk in and, for that day or hour, take off the crushing weight of their armor, hang it on a rack, and open their heart to truly being seen.