Practice Makes Progress: A Teacher’s Heart in a Superintendent’s Role

We are a district grounded in the belief that every child deserves to be known, seen, and supported, and that starts in the classroom. While I currently serve in the role of Superintendent, I carry with me the heart of a teacher. That identity shapes how we lead together and why spending time in classrooms, alongside our principals and staff, remains one of our highest priorities.

Classroom visits are more than a routine. They are a reminder of our collective purpose. Whether observing learning in action or reading to students in our elementary schools, these moments help keep us connected to the daily realities of teaching and learning. Students move in and out for services, educators juggle countless demands, and there is a constant hum of growth and discovery.

Reading with students continues to be one of the most meaningful parts of these visits. This year, we shared the book Touch the Sky by Stephanie Lucianovic and Chris Park. It tells the story of Vern, a student determined to swing high but unsure how to get there, and Gretchen, a classmate who offers encouragement, guidance, and the gift of believing in someone else’s potential. Their story sparked powerful conversations with our students about effort, perseverance, and the quiet work of becoming stronger over time.

One phrase we talked about during these visits was “Champions are made when no one else is looking.” It served as a reminder for all of us that progress comes from the consistent, unseen work of trying, failing, and trying again. The truth is, what we admire in others is so often built in those behind-the-scenes moments of grit and growth.

Touch the Sky also reinforces values we hold close as a school community.

• First, we focus on what we can control, not just the challenges we face.
• Second, we support one another, especially when someone is struggling.
• Third, we encourage perseverance and celebrate effort.
• And finally, we share what we have learned to help someone else rise.

This spirit of lifting one another up is central to our culture. When we support each other, we all grow stronger.

One especially memorable moment happened during a visit to Roosevelt Elementary. After reading and reflecting on the story with students, one young learner raised her hand and said, “My dad always tells me, practice makes progress.” Her words stopped us in our tracks. For many of us, the phrase “practice makes perfect” was the one we grew up with, but she offered something more real, more human, and more achievable. It was a simple yet profound reminder that our students often have as much to teach us as we have to teach them.

That is the power of staying close to the classroom. It keeps us grounded in what truly matters, our kids, their growth, and the shared work of helping every learner thrive.

We are administrators. We are teachers. We are learners. And together, we are shaping a future full of promise.