Wow! If you are like me it’s hard to believe that the school year is just around the corner.  Especially if you work at a place like Life School where the students start school on August 12^th.  Yep! I know that’s early!  But I am ready!  This morning as I was driving to church I became very reflective on how as a central office employee it has been easy for me to become disconnected from our students.  When I was a building principal it was always my hope that I was actively engaged with our students.  I always felt that I could make the school year better for them if I actually understood them.  Well, here I am feeling somewhat disconnected.  I simply cannot get disconnected, even though I do not work with them daily.  See, if we understand them and what they like we can continue to be better support for those that work with students each day.  We often talk about the way students talk and how it trickles down into their writing, without first understanding where that speech comes from.  When we understand, we can change the way we teach.  As a central office support person, that will ultimately allow me to lend better support to teachers and principals.  This includes staying connected to their style, music, interests, and the many other things that make them who they are.  So, I am going to challenge myself to be more intentional about connections with the students of Life School.  I do know it’s not easy to make these connections with the job that I have.  But if we want to continue to get better we cannot forget who is most important! The children and families we serve!  All of us that work on the instructional side of support and work uptown and downtown let’s get to know our students and meet them where they are!