Many Thanks!

Recently, I was named the IPA/Horace Mann Middle School Principal of the Year.  I cannot express how honored I am to represent the Egyptian Region and West Frankfort at the state level.  I have received many kind texts, emails and social media posts congratulating me and I would like to say Thank You.

My appreciation of this spans many levels.  If my mom was still with us she would be over the moon.  We didn't have much but she gave me the life lessons it took to treat people fairly and to leave things better than the way I found them.  She couldn't give me Air Jordans as a kid but she gave me the tools to know that none of that stuff actually matters.  For people in poverty, relationships are currency and I would not trade any fancy things for what she taught me.

I would like to thank my wife and kids.  This profession is not easy on families but mine has put up with the highs and lows.  They keep me focused on what is important and support me when I make tough decisions  They make a daily sacrifice to put up with me and accept that they sometimes have to share me with an entire community.  I am truly blessed to have them.

I would like to thank my school staff.  The heart of a school house is not in the principal.  It is the teachers that set the tone of the building and do the tough tasks set before them to grow kids.  I have been quite spoiled since arriving at Central Junior High School to have great teachers, cooks, and custodians.  There has not been one day that I have felt that we weren't on the same page about how to teach and nurture kids.

I would like to thank the Illinois Principals Association.  Their advocacy and support of school administrators allows their members to grow professionally and to grow our profession.  My experiences with the IPA have helped me develop as a leader.  My experiences with the IPA have motivated me to seek out every possibility to grow kids and teachers.

I would be a very long blog post to thank everyone that has been so kind to me but it has been especially heart warming to have current and former students stop me to congratulate me.  I'm not sure how many kids have walked through my doors as a teacher or administrator over the last 15 years but all of them should know that they are the reason that I will keep showing up.

Many Thanks!