Dreams do come true.
I took yesterday to let things sink in. As leaders, we don't often celebrate the seemingly impossible tasks once they're completed. So, I took time, by myself, to reflect, to celebrate, and to take it all in.
Now, it's time to exclaim that The Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence is open!
Yesterday, we celebrated the opening of a new innovative service-learning school in rural Sussex County, Delaware, for middle (and future high school) students to explore and impact their world now.
There are too many people to thank, all of whom have been part of the #village required to make this dream a reality. There aren't enough words of thanks or gratitude to express. Dr. Teresa E. S. Berry Ed.D, Christy Taylor, Amy Golden Shepherd, Betsy Renzo, Chantalle Ashford, Crystal Timmons-Bryant, Howard Stevenson, and many, many more!
There were many moments when I fought the urge as a leader not to express emotion, to portray the stoic leadership persona. But seeing our new students stand in front of their new school smiling, our teacher's classrooms decorated, our community's overwhelming presence and support, and feeling the seven years of work it took to make this happen, I cried.
As leaders, it's OK to feel.
I'm sure I'll have more to share and say in the near future, but for now, just immense joy and gratitude. We did it!
