A brief pause, a deep breath, and reflection on what truly matters
Dear friends,
No matter your political views, I hope we can agree: murder is wrong.
Like many of you, I’ve been grieving the recent tragedy in the news—the senseless loss of a father whose life became a video his children will have to contend with for years. And in the same week we mark September 11—days of sadness, remembrance, and gratitude—I’ve been reminded how short and precious our time really is.
I’m 49, with two kids—12 and 17. If the average life expectancy is roughly the early 70s, the math is a nudge: every relationship matters; every moment matters; how we make people feel matters. None of it is guaranteed. None of it should be taken for granted.
Marcus Aurelius put it plainly: “Stop whatever you are doing for a moment and ask yourself: Am I afraid of death because I won’t be able to do this anymore?”
That question always stops me. Would I be at peace if this were my last day doing this work, spending this time, or treating someone in this way?
So here’s my invitation to all of us:
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Pause. Before the next meeting, class, or conversation—take one breath. Ask, If my life ended today, would I be proud of how I’m spending this hour?
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Be grateful. For what you have, who you have, and when you have it.
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Realign. If any aspect of your life is out of alignment with your vision or values, begin the change today. It won’t change for you.
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Choose kindness. The small choices—listening fully, offering a word of encouragement, apologizing quickly—compound into culture.
If you or your family need support processing recent events or this week’s remembrances, please reach out to your school’s counselors or trusted leaders. We’re here for one another.
Let’s honor those we’ve lost by living with purpose, presence, and compassion—today.
And perhaps most importantly for us—as school leaders, principals, and teachers—every day we step into a classroom, a hallway, or a meeting, we impact not just one student, but hundreds, even thousands of people over time.
In a career in education, the ripple effect of our choices, our words, and our presence may touch millions—students, families, colleagues, and communities. That’s both a humbling responsibility and a profound opportunity.
So let’s remember: the way we show up today isn’t just about us—it’s about the countless lives we influence, directly and indirectly, in ways we may never fully see.
Growing with you,
Dr. Tom
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