Executive Viewpoint - Dr. Mike Hernandez

Dr. Mike Hernandez AAEA Executive Director

It is hard to believe that we are in November. People often say that time flies when you are having fun. I bet some of you say that time flies when you are working in a chaotic time too! Regardless, I am thankful for all of you and grateful for the opportunity to lead this organization that supports administrators across our state. Thanksgiving, which is right around the corner, is a time to reflect on things for which we are thankful. Some of the items in no particular order that come to mind are below.

• The reason we are all in this business is for the students. These boys and girls have taken on the issues that have faced them and their school community. “Resilient” is a term that describes students as they have been able to change course midstream in dealing with masks, quarantines, and virtual learning. We all know that students are dealing with difficult situations at school and home that were exacerbated during the pandemic. Even so, students have kept a positive attitude and enjoy being in the educational environment. We must remain vigilant to protect our students from the factors we can control and keep that spark for learning alive.

• The pandemic has had a tremendous impact on teachers, instructional and classified staff. We should all be thankful for their can-do attitudes and patience as we navigate the new educational landscape. Arkansas teachers have proven to be fully committed to keeping student education as a top priority for our state. This commitment has been shown by setting up makeshift hybrid classrooms, working with parents, and learning new ways to serve kids. I have appreciated my kids' teachers as they have found creative ways to keep them focused on the right things, whether through plexiglass, a computer screen, or keeping me updated on the Remind App. Teachers may be sacrificing their time to cover classrooms, monitor lunch lines, or get behind the wheels of school buses. Teachers have shown classroom leadership with a positive attitude while overcoming their own fears and health concerns to support our students. Technology, finance, custodial, cafeteria, and transportation staff have all gone to great lengths to creatively rethink how they do business. Everything required to make schools run effectively has continued even with the added duties and stress of our team members. Remember to check on your staff regularly and continue to find ways to support them as they do their work.

• We should all be thankful to the parents that have entrusted us to serve their children. They have been fantastic in their support and, in some cases, on the frontline of remote learning implementation. There has been a tidal wave of changes that are constantly coming at parents. I know I have had a hard time keeping up with all the health guidelines, learning tools, and changes that have been part of the response to Covid-19. I am thankful for those parents that have maintained a sense of teamwork, humor, and commitment to ensuring that their kids stay on track in school. Parental support is critical to the success of our mission in helping students learn and be successful in life.

• Education-related vendors have stepped up to help schools in significant ways. AAEA is very fortunate to have great partnerships with many companies that work with schools in Arkansas. We could not do what we do without them. Many of these companies have answered the call to provide timely resources in every sector of school business. I have seen companies move to remote delivery of services, offer services for free, and provide items that help schools remain safe or provide education to students. They have provided countless computers, cleaning supplies, learning platforms, facility upgrades, remote consultations, etc.

• Education support organizations such as ESCs (education service cooperatives), ERZs, DESE, and the rest of the “Alphabet Soup Group” as I like to call them, have listened to educators and developed ways to support schools. If there is a need, these organizations have found a way to meet it. I am grateful for all these groups working alongside AAEA to help you. The Arkansas Department of Education has been wonderful in their work with districts during the pandemic. I know there are things we believe could have been done differently, but I know how hard they have worked to problem solve and support schools in educating students.

• Elected officials have been on a rollercoaster ride over the last year and a half or so. There have been many passionate debates for school board members, legislators, constitutional officers, and even the judicial branch. All of us have probably disagreed with a position one of our elected officials has chosen. In politics, there are no permanent allies or enemies. We must remember that these folks are elected by the people in your community or state to serve Arkansans. We must continue to interact with these individuals and share our needs as educators to help them make informed decisions. I am thankful that they have chosen to serve our state.

• I am thankful for being able to work with such an incredible team at AAEA. I knew long ago as a member of this association that it was truly about serving others. Dr. Abernathy and those that came before him built a strong culture of building up and supporting administrators to help in the education process. The staff at AAEA works hard to make sure that professional development opportunities are plentiful and of high quality. Each team member brings a unique skill set and perspective to the table that I appreciate. This association would not be successful without them.

• Dallas Cowboys...If you know me, then you know.

• Finally, I am thankful for all the great leaders in our state that have worked tirelessly to explore uncharted territory and develop plans on the fly to serve students safely and effectively. Some leaders have had to deal with personal health matters or the loss of loved ones on top of these other issues. I am in awe of our leaders' work ethic and attitude, no matter the circumstance. Leaders have leaned on each other and built more robust networks than ever before. I know there are feelings of frustration, hopelessness, and even anger knocking at our doors, but our leaders have chosen to put out the "Do Not Disturb" sign because they are leading learning! I am also thankful for my family and your family for letting us do this great work. We need our support system in the good times and the bad.

Hopefully, these tough times are starting to end, and the anxiety is dissipating. The only ones that should be filled with fear and hopelessness are those Thanksgiving turkeys and I am ready to eat a juicy one! With the modern gun season approaching, I'm sure the deer are getting worried too. I hope you all have a great November and reflect and give thanks for the beautiful things in your life. Let me know how I can help you.