Leading with Optimism in a Time of Challenges

The book of Deuteronomy encourages us to “Be strong and courageous . . . for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6). And in the Great Commission, Jesus reminds us, “and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). Through challenging times, it is helpful to be reminded that we are not alone.

The Baylor Center for School Leadership hosted a gathering for nearly 200 educators who came from a diverse background of schools, from opposite ends of the coasts, from small, independent schools in rural settings to large, urban public schools. The focus of Just Leadership was on leading with “gritty optimism.” Dean Shanna Hagan-Burke welcomed the group and encouraged them to lead and learn together during this time. BCSL Executive Director Jon Eckert facilitated a session on cultivating gritty optimism through reframing well-being, humanizing engagement, and cultivating wisdom with integrity. After setting and sharing goals that focused on immediate next steps as well as strategic and long-term goals, attendees went to one of three breakout panel discussions that included panelists from across leadership roles, such as principal, superintendent, head of school, and instructional coach.

“In our leadership panel about humanizing engagement in a mentor program, the common thread shared by all the leaders was the importance of genuinely connecting with new teachers and encouraging them to reflect regularly. Helping new teachers build resilience through gritty optimism enables them to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and to model life-long learning for their students,” said LuAnna Odom, who traveled from California.

Afternoon sessions similarly engaged participants in how to lead through joy and set realistic goals. Local superintendents Dr. Chris Allen (Midway) and Dr. Tiffany Spicer (Waco ISD) joined Crowley Superintendent Dr. Michael McFarland and Baylor’s Flourishing expert Dr. Matt Lee on a panel discussion of setting boundaries, finding the right balance in leadership priorities, and leading school communities to a place of flourishing. 

Bill Bachman then presented an afternoon keynote on sparking creativity, sharing insights and examples from his work with Apple and The Bible Project. “Bachman's unique experiences and perspective from the tech world offered a fresh lens through which I can view my role in the school setting. His lessons on focus, communication, and organizational knowledge directly translate to how I can better serve my school community in a more creative and connected way,” said Makenzie Talbert. 

BCSL Program Coordinator Sahira Kodra and Director of Networks Erik Ellefsen worked with panel moderators and attendees to ensure bi-directional feedback helped bring current issues to the forefront of the discussion. And to elevate the focus of the conference to what matters most, dozens of Midway ISD and Waco ISD students were invited as expert consultants to share their insights on leading, learning, and engagement at breakout discussions with attendees.

It was encouraging to see students, teachers, principals, professors, and superintendents gather together at Baylor to share hope and light, and to be reminded that in this important work, we are never alone.

Bill Sterrett serves as the Hale Endowed Chair of School Leadership and is an affiliated faculty member with the Baylor Center for School Leadership.