We Continue to Grow, Meet Challenges and Build Our Culture…Together

As we approach the end of the school year at Heartland AEA, I want to thank all of you for the effort and commitment you’ve invested in making this a year of growth for our entire agency. I like to think we are an agency committed to growth, and we all know that while growth can be associated with some pain, it can also lead to accomplishment. I appreciate how you come to work every day ready to take on the significant challenges facing our agency--and I fully realize that doing so isn’t always easy. 

Increasing expectations for our agency, and the demands on our time associated with those expectations, only multiply with each new year. What’s satisfying to me is how we seem to be able to meet those expectations. Our work is challenging and will continue to be so, but our team’s capacity to meet the ever-increasing needs of children, families and educators is inspiring. And that’s a credit to every one of you. So, thank you for all you do to make a difference. Remember that what you do is important and greatly appreciated. 

Next year will no doubt have challenges of its own. We will need to continue to be a learning organization and will need to continue to work to find the opportunities and supports you need to do your work. We will remain committed to being intentional about our culture. This means we will continue to strive to be a transparent organization, one built on communication and trust. Being intentional about building a positive culture isn’t easy work in a large and complex organization and finding the sweet spot between consistency and autonomy will always be a challenge. Regardless of where we land in trying to find that balance, we will continue to make every attempt to honor your work and your voice. 

Our success in the future, like our success in the past, will be determined by the extent to which we communicate and support one another. I continue to be a firm believer that every success or failure we experience is a direct result of the quality of the relationships of those involved. We will continue to work to build those relationships both inside and outside the Agency. 

Again, thank you for your very important work. I trust that you will find some time this summer to relax and recharge. Bring on the sun! 

Jon