2020-21: Lessons Learned & Thank Yous

As the 2020-21 school year comes to a close, I’d like to share some thoughts and a huge thank you with all of you. 

Lessons Learned 

I believe we’ve learned a great deal on a variety of fronts over the past 15 months, and I want us to apply that learning to our work going forward. We’ve learned: 

• We can pivot very quickly in response to any health crisis. 
• How to work smarter and with more flexibility. 
• How to use new technologies and better use those already at our disposal. 
• How to gather information from our staff and districts quickly and efficiently. 
• The critical importance of ongoing communication and even over-communication. 
• How to really take care of each other, which is the most important thing we’ve learned. Caring has always been our most important core value, and the events of the last year have given us the opportunity to exercise that core value like never before. 

Please know that we will apply all these lessons going forward. I don’t believe our organization will ever again look like it did in January 2020. 

Simply Put, Thank You 

So, what else does one say at the end of a year like this? I am finding it very difficult to verbalize an adequate message, and the more I reflect on the last 15 months, the more I find myself wanting to simply say “thank you.” 

Each and every one of you has my eternal thanks for making the past year one of the most gratifying in my career. Being your chief administrator through this global crisis has been a humbling experience, but it has also been my personal pleasure to watch you go about your work with such commitment and professionalism. Thank you for your very hard work. Thank you for your selflessness. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your service to others. 

I’ve said it many times over the past year, but I really do believe the pandemic brought out the very best in our organization. It would have been easy to become overwhelmed and defeated. Instead of stepping down, though, you stepped up to the challenge. You stepped up to support one another and provide quality service in new ways. You stepped up to provide desperately needed support to schools and families and keep our agency facilities open and safe during one of the most uncertain periods in our history. All of this was done with courage and with minimal complaint. It is humbling and inspiring. 

Again, thank you for the servant heart you have all shown this year. I hope you will take some time this summer to reflect on just how special this time has been and take pride in what you were able to accomplish. Have a great summer, and I’ll see you in August! 

Jon