Last weekend, I took my son on a college visit, and it was awesome — good food, good experiences, time away, and time together.
The only problem? I forgot my book (ugh!). So, I picked one up: The #1 Dad Book: The Best Dad You Can Be in 1 Hour.
Not exactly life-changing, but it reminded me of something important:
Buying a book about being a better dad (or teacher, or spouse) doesn’t make you great — the desire to grow does.
That simple act of wanting to improve means more than the best-laid plans of how to improve.
I’m not the world’s best dad, but I’m a good one. Which is why it hurts when someone questions it — when intention gets misunderstood.
And the same is true in education.
Recently, I was accused of something that wasn’t true. What stung wasn’t the accusation itself, but the assumption behind it. For a moment, I let it change me. I pulled back. I played it safe. I lost a bit of confidence — and with it, my joy.
Fear will do that. It steals joy.
And I didn’t like it. Not for me, but for others too. Some even noticed — they asked why I wasn’t being me. And that stung most of all.
So here’s my reminder to all of us: Don’t shrink because someone misreads your heart.
Keep doing the good, hard, imperfect work you believe in. Mistakes don’t make you less — they make you real.
Be bold in your trying.
Be confident in your caring.
Be who your kids, your students, and your staff need you to be.
Because we need you to be you, in all of your faults, gifts, and human glory. 100%.