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That moment when you've built a solid foundation, but find yourself staring at the ceiling wondering, "What's next?" This summer, after three years of transformative work as building principal at Hastings High, I hit that wall. 

We'd successfully tackled culture, transforming our school from "welcome to the jungle" into a place where students and staff felt valued. We'd implemented systems that increased daily attendance by nearly 4% and reduced chronic absenteeism by 8.9%. The electronic hall passes, thoughtful device policies, and collaborative approach had worked. Yet success created its own challenge: identifying our next mountain to climb.

The answer came from Ted Lasso's iconic dart scene and the powerful philosophy of being "curious, not judgmental." This mindset shift illuminates everything we're doing this year. When a student struggles, rather than judgment, we exercise curiosity. When district initiatives emerge, rather than resistance, we seek understanding. When teachers face challenges, we ask questions instead of making assumptions.

Our next frontier is clear: instructional excellence. While maintaining our cultural gains, we're focusing on growing instructional capacity through peer observation, curriculum alignment, and deeper professional learning communities. I'm committing to spending at least one block period daily in classrooms, engaging in curious conversations rather than evaluative walkthroughs.

Four questions now guide my leadership: Do people love coming to our school? Would I send my own child here? How can I be 1% better today? How can I exercise curiosity in every interaction? 

Whether you're a seasoned administrator or an emerging leader, this episode offers a transparent look at the cyclical journey of educational leadership – how building culture enables instructional growth, which further strengthens culture. What's your next mountain to climb, and how might curiosity transform your approach?

Episode 8: Reducing Chronic Absenteeism in Schools!

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