Owning our message - a response to the latest noise

HPS team,

In the past two weeks, I have been asked multiple times about my feelings on the DeVos confirmation. Each time (whether face-to-face, through email, a Tweet, etc.) the question seems to be followed by a few statements about the current state of the public education system: how public schools are in crisis, how they do not prepare students for the next chapter of life, how they waste money, etc. It's the same statements I have heard from some state and federal politicians, pundits, "experts," and my Twitter feed. 

I think, when confronted with these statements, I must look quite confused. You see, I don't have this view of public education and, quite frankly, I don't understand the broad generalizations that are being applied today. I think generalizations are dangerous. They lead to partially informed discussions about very serious issues. 

Therefore, in my last interaction, I responded by expressing my confusion with the assessment of the "system." I asked the person when was the last time he had been in a public school and what evidence he had to support his statement. When he offered none, I proudly shared with him the highlights of my last two weeks in HPS. I shared how the Howell/Brighton boy's basketball game on Friday evening represented the very best of our community as they won the KLAA division championship, how some of our elementary students are on their way this week to the Sea Life Aquarium to see their PBL on display, how one of our teachers was named the 2017 Michigan School Vocal Music Association Teacher of the Year, how are JROTC program won yet another state-level competition, how our students launched two more student-run credit unions, and how three of our senior soccer players just signed to play in college. And, this was just the past two weeks and what was fresh on my mind.

I don't know what a DeVos confirmation means for us. What I do know is that we can no longer sit back and allow others to define us. We must all help to tell our story. We must be ambassadors of Highlander Nation. If we don't, I can assure you that many are prepared to latch on to the generalizations. I am proud to lead a public education institution that collectively works each day to ensure opportunities for all of its students.

While I may not have changed an overall attitude in my latest conversation, I felt good telling our story. It's a pretty good one.

Thank you for all you do! Have a great rest of the week!