Executive Viewpoint

WIN, PLACE, AND SHOW

Dr. Mike Hernandez, AAEA Executive Director

It is the final week of live racing in Hot Springs, and you may be reading this thinking that I am about to offer you some insider tips on what to bet this week. I regret to inform you that this year's winning percentage has been very close to zero. However, I enjoy watching the ponies run despite lacking in my gambling acumen. Hot Springs is a great place to live and raise a family because of the great school systems in the area. Each school is unique and offers something the parents seek for their children. There are many examples of great communities and excellent school systems in Arkansas.

A few weekends ago, I had the opportunity to visit Western Yell County School District and celebrate with a former co-worker who was retiring. Coach Carla Catlett told me she had served 39 years in education. It was evident by the number of people that showed up, including former players, that she made a difference in their lives. I only worked with her briefly, but she influenced this first-time administrator in many ways. One was her general positive attitude to whoever she encountered. The second and most important was her work ethic. It did not matter whether it was her job; she always went above and beyond to get things done. It was not for credit or more money. It was just her pride in her school district and for doing things the right way. I have carried the influences of Coach Catlett with me as I have continued my educator journey. As I was leaving town, the memories of all the great times I had working at WYC and Danville came pouring over me. Community schools mean so much to those that live there and work there. Every person involved in the system is a beneficiary of the outcomes. We must also remember to promote and celebrate our successes continually.

Many unknowns are facing public schools, but some things are certain. We have people in our communities that love our schools, students will show up daily to learn, and educators will do whatever it takes to make students feel welcome and successful. To use racing terminology, school leaders and schools have to be ready to “Win, Place, and Show.” Local educators must WIN the hearts and minds of their local parents and community members. Winning can be done by providing students with a safe environment and quality education. Whatever it takes. School districts must PLACE students first in any decisions. School leaders are frequently presented with new challenges that may change the usual way of doing business, but the north star should always be the student. We hope students associate security, support, achievement, and friendship with their school experience instead of solitude, fear, failure, and neglect. Educators will be called upon to double down on their efforts to positively impact the community's students. Finally, school leaders must help their teams SHOW their school systems' importance to their community and educational ecosystem. Showing will take great effort to get outside the school walls and into the community business and civic environment. One person cannot do this alone. Every employee, student, and parent is a potential ambassador of the school system. These ambassadors must be well-informed and understand their role in supporting the district in the age of heavy competition and highly charged media.

We are in the final weeks of the 2022-2023 school year. Most of you are neck-deep in salary schedules and contracts for the upcoming year. I am confident answers to questions from the legislative session will continue to become clearer. It will undoubtedly be a busy summer, and I appreciate your leadership and focus during this time. Our students have many needs, and I cannot think of a better group of educators to provide what students need when they need it. My money is always on our state's school administrators to Win, Place, and Show!