Behind the Blackboard: Reflections from Charter Principals

What's your favorite motivational quote or saying, and why does it resonate with you?

“Use education to make your grandparents' dreams come true." 

“I love this because it highlights how powerful education can be. Education can change lives, improve opportunities, and work to help real change in people's lives. But, as educators, we have to do our part to ensure that the education we provide is accessible to all our diverse learners and work to make sure that learning has no limits.” — Keshia Medellin, Head of School, CEC Douglas County North

“Leadership is not about being in charge, it’s about serving others and taking care of those in your charge.”

“This quote inspires me daily to remember that not only do school leaders need to create a safe environment for learning, but also a safe and empathetic environment for working,” says Jenny. “It is important to remember that we don’t know what situations our students are facing outside our walls, and this is true for our staff, too. A leader should create a school environment which is filled with compassion and empathy so that kids and adults alike can achieve their goals and positively impact the world.” — Jenny Whitaker, Head of School, Co-founder, AXIS International Academy

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” ─ Theodore Roosevelt

“This quote resonates with me because we live in a time where everyone is watching everyone's life through the lens of the internet and it sometimes paints an unrealistic picture. When our goals become aligned with being more like someone else we forget how to be ourselves.” — Carrie Mott, Principal, Jefferson Academy Coal Creek Canyon

“There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.” ─  Denis Waitley

“Accepting the norm has never been a part of who I am and if I can't accept the way things have always been, then I must do my part to challenge, improve, innovate and change things for the better.  Accepting the responsibility for positive change is hard, but aren't we asking our children to do this everyday?  We must hold ourselves to the same expectation. Our children are always worth the effort to open possibilities, not guard the gate.” — Caryn L. Braddy, Executive Director, Vision Charter Academy 

If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be and what would you talk about?

"If I could have dinner with any fictional character, it would be Ted Lasso. I would be curious to hear Ted's approach to positivity, overcoming adversity, achieving goals, and the power of kindness." — Tom Smith, Head of School, CEC Online Campus

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

"The best piece of advice I have received as it pertains to leadership is to lead by example, and always strive to find a healthy balance of support and accountability for everyone on the team." — Maren Blind, Head of School, CEC Castle Rock

If you could trade places with any historical figure for a day, who would it be and why?

“Abraham Lincoln. First, I have always been fascinated by his leadership during a crucial time in American history. Experiencing a day in his shoes would provide a deeper understanding of the challenges he faced and the decisions he made. Additionally, I would love to witness firsthand the impact of his speeches and interactions with others. It would be a unique opportunity to gain insight into the complexities of his presidency and the personal qualities that made him such a revered figure. Overall, trading places with Abraham Lincoln for a day would offer a valuable perspective on history and leadership.” — Paula Harrison, Elementary principal, SkyView Academy

“As a former social studies teacher, it's hard to choose just one! I'm intrigued by the unsung role that women have played in history. I would love to trade places for a day with Louise de Bettignies, who was a spy during World War I. She was a French woman who informed the British for many years during the German occupation in Europe. Kate Quinn authored a great novel, The Alice Network, which is a remarkably accurate work of historical fiction about de Bettignies that I highly recommend!  — Katie Gustafson, Executive Principal, Flagstaff Academy

What's the most unusual or unexpected thing you've learned from a student?

“Years ago, I served as a project-based learning advisor, and I had just completed a multi-age project with a group of students in grades 1-4, says Emily. “They had presented to the Town Council their research around trash collection in our area and were requesting trash cans be installed along a walking path. I was bursting with pride as the Council voted "yes" to include the cans in the following year's budget, and I was excited to reflect on the experience with the students.” 

“While we sat in a circle, reviewing our work, goals and experiences, I was surprised to find the students less energetic than I was. I finally stopped our process and brought it up with the students: why so glum? One student said, ‘You might be proud of us but we're not proud of us. Those adults weren't clapping and voting yes because they believed in our project. They were clapping and voting because they thought we were cute little kids. That doesn't feel good.’”

At that point, says Emily, she learned a couple important things from them. “First, Children are competent and capable beyond our wildest expectations; Secondly, adults are not often prepared to take seriously the work of those who excel beyond those expectations. I took those lessons with me into future projects, making sure to prepare children and adults to take seriously the work of our youngest citizens, who deserve our respect and attention.”

— Emily Murphy, School Director, Pagosa Peak Open School

What's the most unusual or unexpected talent you possess?

“I can swim! I swam competitively up to my senior year of high school. I represented Puerto Rico at the Caribbean and Central American Championships. In high school, I beat a swimmer who went on to win the Gold at the Olympics. As a 9th grader, I had the 7th fastest time in the United States in the 200 meter Breastroke. I can swim!” — Javier Negron, Upper School Principal, SkyView Academy

If you were to create a new class or subject, what would it be and what would students learn?

“The class I would create would be ‘Purpose Learning’ where all students would learn to become amazing humans and top students, focusing first and foremost on maximizing their potential to live inspired and purposeful lives. Purpose learning would engage the head, heart and hands. Each student would take a Purpose Learning class each year to fine tune what is truly meaningful to themselves and beneficial to the world.” — Shane Voss, Executive Director, Mountain Middle School