“At any moment we can start being more of the person we dream to be — but which moment are we waiting for?” This sentiment is a quote from an unknown author I recently came across in a social media post. It is exciting to think about how, at any given moment, we possess the power to embody the person we aspire to be. But why do we wait for a specific moment when we can go and find them ourselves?

I think you know that the heartbeat of school organizations lives inside the walls of schools. As a district leader, who doesn’t have a school building to call her own, I still know that the most magical place to be within a school organization is in the learning hubs of school buildings. So much so that whenever I enter a school, I consciously prioritize lifting my head to absorb and appreciate all the elements that breathe life into a school’s heartbeat looking for spaces to connect with teachers and kids. I know within these spaces I will never feel alone and can have an opportunity to find another piece of the human being, educator, and leader I am continuously striving to be in one of those moments. Have you yet realized that it only takes a moment to recognize that a brief interaction can make you better than you were the moment before?

As I walked through the halls of schools this week, I saw so much goodness. I listened to conversations of kindergarten kiddos discussing who their favorite Disney princesses are and why. I witnessed teachers having conversations before the kids arrived about teaching and learning over a cup of coffee. I felt a stronger sense of belonging when principals were waving me into their office to talk about the incredible lessons transpiring in classrooms rooted in some writing work we have been focusing on in professional learning. I could also hear the joy of learning that emerged from those learning experiences, just by the way the stories were being shared with me.  

Then, I began reading the walls of the hallways, recognizing hundreds of  students’ personal narrative writing that stopped me right in my tracks. I was engrossed in learning more about the students and community we serve in these spaces through their detailed stories about family, friends, and interests they shared. It filled my heart to step into those classrooms to share my thoughts, “Your personal narrative writing is important to have on the walls in your school. I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to read them and learn more about who you are through your special stories.” The genuine joy reflected in the students’ smiles as I shared these sentiments is unforgettable. Their teachers humbly assured me they couldn’t claim credit for it. But the truth is, these students are writers, and it’s undoubtedly their teachers who nurture not just their writing but also the individuals they are becoming in these special learning moments.

When I stepped into another classroom, I began reflecting with two teachers on a recent day of professional learning that recently transpired, finding so many bright spots and takeaways to implement in classrooms tomorrow. As we were talking, I scanned the walls of her classroom, and my eyes stopped to notice a picture book I hadn’t seen before being displayed on the wall. It was titled Just Because, the debut picture book by Academy Award-winning actor and #1 New York Times bestselling author Matthew McConaughey. “What’s this book, I don’t think I have ever seen it before?” I asked. “My goodness, really?”, the teacher answered. With that, she ran over to the wall, grabbed the book and put it right in my hands. “Now, take this book, I want you to read it to a class today.”

At that moment, I didn’t realize that stepping into her classroom and noticing the learning and books that adorned the walls would provide me with another special moment I didn’t see coming that morning. “As tears filled my eyes reading the book, I held onto those profound words, “Just because you’re alone, doesn’t mean there’s not a crowd.” Though I entered the school building feeling alone, I understood, guided by those words in the book, that I’m never truly alone because I was where I was meant to be at that moment.

As I walked down another hallway with the book in my hands, I approached a familiar teacher, “I have about 15 more minutes before I have to get to a meeting in another building. May I read this book? “ This is the perfect moment,” she replied with a smile and a welcome. When I entered the classroom with the book in my hand, a little boy approached me. “My Dad just bought me this book and I can’t believe you are holding it!” “Wow, buddy that is super awesome. Which is your favorite part in the book?” He took the book from my hands and pointed to these words, “Just because you’re alone, doesn’t mean there’s not a crowd.”

Inside and out, I was beaming with a smile as we shared a high-five, feeling incredibly lucky to have captured this precious moment.

“At any moment we can start being more of the person we dream to be — but which moment are we waiting for?” As you continue to reflect on moments within the walls of your schools, will you go and find your moment today? What are you waiting for? 

Actionable Ideas to Implement Tomorrow Embrace Serendipitous Moments: Encourage leaders and educators to be open to unexpected moments. Sometimes, these seemingly unplanned interactions or discoveries can lead to profound connections and insights. Encourage teachers to leverage such moments to create special learning experiences. Encourage Reflection and Seize Moments: Prompt leaders to reflect on the power of every moment. Encourage them to seek and make the most of these moments, understanding that within these seemingly ordinary interactions lies the potential for growth, connection, and self-realization.