Day Two of the National Conference on Education began with a powerful sense of community and a deep dive into the "Hero’s Journey." I started my morning at the MASA breakfast, celebrating with my fellow Minnesota colleagues. We had the privilege of hearing the inspirational leadership journey of Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams, Minnesota’s Superintendent of the Year and the current Superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools.
Following breakfast, I connected with my fellow featured bloggers: Kelly Aramaki (Washington), Michelle Osterhoudt (New York), and Heather Perry (Maine). It was a fine example of the networking power this conference provides; reading their entries confirms they are inspirational leaders we can all learn from. The morning momentum continued as Minnesota’s own David Law kicked off the keynote session, reflecting on his impactful year as AASA President and celebrating the great work being done by superintendents nationwide.
The Keynote: Marcus Whitney’s Unlikely Journey
Our keynote speaker, Marcus Whitney, shared a story that is the definition of "daring greatly." In 2000, Marcus moved to Nashville as a college dropout with a young son and another baby on the way, living in a week-to-week efficiency hotel. Two decades later, he is a venture capitalist, a bestselling author, and co-founder/owner of Nashville’s Major League Soccer team.
Marcus walked us through how he turned his dreams into reality, explaining the path to success, and challenging us to dream beyond our comfort levels.
The Foundation: Parents and Preparation
A significant portion of Marcus's message was dedicated to the "investments" others made in him. He credited his parents for pouring everything into him, placing him in environments where he could succeed, and instilling the belief that he could do anything.
Reflecting on his story made me think of my own parents. While they didn't have a lot of income, they made sure my siblings and I had everything we needed, from sending us to wrestling camps at the University of Iowa to supporting us in ways we didn't fully realize at the time. Loving parents have an immeasurable impact. As leaders, it forces us to ask: How can we enhance learning for students who have that support, while simultaneously providing a foundation for those who may not have it at home?
The Arena and the Lessons of the Mat
Marcus also spoke about the impact of the Hero’s Journey (Joseph Campbell) on his life. Interestingly, Marcus was a wrestler, a sport close to my heart. He noted that the lessons of the mat, perseverance, hard work, and sacrifice, were the very tools he used to transform his life.
He closed with the iconic Teddy Roosevelt quote, "The Man in the Arena." It was a perfect reminder for every superintendent in the room:
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood... who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly."
As we navigate the challenges of public education, we are the ones in the arena. We are the doers of deeds. Today’s session was a reminder that our journey, and the journeys of our students, require the courage to dream and the resilience to stay in the action.
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