A Message from the Department Chair

As we continue the long road of returning to “normal” after the pandemic, I’m thrilled to draft this message for our first newsletter since 2020!

The theme of this newsletter is Growth and Change, and I cannot imagine a more appropriate theme for our first post-pandemic newsletter. The last 3 years have been filled with change; as we know well, change is not always positive. But when we pair change with growth and learning, we have the opportunity to find something positive even in the most difficult moments of change.

And I believe it is in this space of growth and change that we can find important lessons for ourselves as educational leaders. In my own experience, I have learned the most when the change happening is the most difficult or challenging; the process is usually humbling, but also always a chance for growth.

In the last 3 years alone, we’ve figured out how to lead and learn remotely, as well as how to re-open under fluid and trying conditions. We’ve learned how to serve students deeply impacted by the trauma and learning loss of the pandemic. We’ve learned how to support colleagues and staff who are tired and emotionally drained from that same trauma. And we’ve undertaken much needed work around racial equity. These times have shown our resilience and a capacity for growth we likely never imagined.

As we work to transform PK20 education, this collective capacity for growth, learning, and adaptation as leaders gives me hope. We have no more important professional challenge than working together to build just and equitable institutions that serve all students. Doing so requires our ability to innovate, to initiate challenging conversations, and to be humble about the challenges of leading change. The last several years lead me to believe we can make this change happen.

As you read through this issue, I hope you draw the same hope and energy that I do from Dr. Charles Slater as he reflects on a career filled with growth and change, and from our Racial Equity Fellows as they talk about providing leadership for conversations around racial equity in the college.

As they say in the college, Go Beach! Go Teach! And Go Lead!