“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
— Winston S. Churchill
“Every problem is an opportunity in disguise.”
— John Adams
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
— Albert Einstein
“I always tried to turn every disaster into an opportunity.”
— John D. Rockefeller
“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”
— Lao Tzu
“When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.”
There have been many smart, dead people who have made great observations about challenging times and the opportunities they present. Not being a student of history, I am uncertain if the people quoted above were killed by the challenge or the opportunity it created. Regardless of which one killed them, I would love to hear what these individuals would say about the landscape of public education in Florida in 2023. I imagine it would be something like this:
Every problem is simply a challenge, besieged in difficulty, enveloped in a crisis, submerged in a quagmire, with a ray of golden sunshine hidden behind a black curtain of storm clouds.
Ok, it’s not exactly poetic or uplifting, but I stand by the sentiment. The 2020s have been rough for Florida’s school districts with public education and its practitioners marred by accusation, allegation, and confrontation. Superintendents have been at the forefront of the struggle, and far too many have the scars to prove it. But despite it all, there is at least a hint of sunshine behind the clouds, and therein lies the opportunity.
“If we fail to adapt, we fail to move forward.” – John Wooden
The current legislative environment is challenging. There are many talking points circulated around Tallahassee and, more often than not, there is little substance behind them. Getting legislators to understand the implications of policy changes is a constant struggle. Many ideas have merit and consequences. The merits are preached while the consequences are ignored.
Superintendents and FADSS staff, as a collective, can attempt to break through the clouds of issue illiteracy to reveal the ray of knowledge. It will not be easy and we will not always be successful. Oh, who am I kidding – it will be downright hard, and we will lose more than the Washington Generals. But solace lies in the importance of the victories.
- The modifications to the high school graduation concordant scores will have a life-changing impact on thousands of students.
- Adjustments to the FEFP proposals and creation of the educational enrollment stabilization program to prevent proration will help all school districts budget during a time of unprecedented uncertainty.
- Suspending unrealistic cost per student station limitations allows school districts to use local millage revenue to build schools that meet local needs.
“Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the
dying of the light.” – Dylan Thomas
In a vacuum of knowledge, ignorance prevails. Now, possibly more than ever, superintendents must engage with their local delegations to provide an accurate representation of public education that goes beyond talking points. Invite elected officials to your schools and show them the great work that is being done and explain the challenges school districts face. Invite them to meet your students and hear their stories. Show them the impact of deferred maintenance on your school buildings first-hand. Listen to their viewpoints and ground them in reality.
“Do or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda
Public education in Florida is mired in a multi-faceted crisis. Staffing shortages, student behavior and mental health, school threats and security, funding uncertainty… the list goes on.
Superintendents must lead their districts through this crisis.
Superintendents will lead their districts through this crisis.
FADSS is here to help however, whenever, and wherever we can.
