Nicholas Clement’s recounting of his grandchildren’s learning experience (“My Itchy Case for Authentic Learning,” March 2019) highlights the importance of providing our students with MEANINGFUL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT INSPIRE CURIOSITY and lead them to become critical thinkers.

Through his example involving his interactions with two grandchildren, he illustrates that AUTHENTIC LEARNING does not have to be complicated and need not require robust planning, preparation and investment. When we provide children with the right setting and resources, they will grow as explorers, investigators and ultimately as learners.

COURTNEY CULLUM
SUPERINTENDENT,
MAZAPAN SCHOOL,
LA CEIBA, HONDURAS


Improvement Strategies
Patricia Greco’s article (“Healing Our Systems and Making Improvement Stick”) in the March issue provided great information on how educators can support their school districts with continuous improvement strategies.

Her statement on continuous improvement resonated strongly with me: “[W]e can’t chase, blame or hope our way to improved performance. The stakes remain high. We can develop both the mindset and skillset to make improvement real — not because of high-stakes accountability but because we deserve better.” She speaks for all of our students and those who are committed to serving them.

As a colleague, I appreciate Greco representing Wisconsin’s visionary leadership on the national stage.

JOHN H. ASHLEY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS,
MADISON, WIS.


Self-Care and Crises
C.J. Huff offered great advice in his article (“Self-care in the Aftermath of Crisis,” April 2019) that people should use regardless of the challenges they face in life.

The nature of school leadership inevitably leads to being pulled in many stressful directions. If we are unable to care for ourselves during those times, we will not be able to care for others.

I also found that Huff’s use of the quotation from novelist Arthur Golden was particularly appropriate: “Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn so that we see ourselves as we really are.” The most effective leaders must both know themselves and be able to care for themselves. Only then can they best serve the students, parents and staff of their school communities.

DAVID LUTHER
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS,
MISSOURI ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS,
JEFFERSON CITY, MO.


C.J. Huff’s article heightened my interest in his topic. I liked that he not only discussed disaster readiness and what to do following a disaster, but he also talked about the personal well-being of the leaders.

I lead a popular training here in Illinois on the topic of work-life Integration. Huff’s views on taking care of self are very close to my own. I host two different professional development opportunities for our members and broadcast weekly podcasts, which can be accessed by our members at any time.

RICHARD J. VOLTZ
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS,
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.