Dear Colleagues:

Much of the media this past week was focused on the anniversary of what experts have described as one of the most transformational events in the history of our country—the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas in 1963. The impact of that event for those in my generation is reflected in how quickly we can answer what is the standard measure of such an occasion—where were you when you heard the news.

And while the events of that awful day made a lasting impact, as an educator, I choose to reflect upon other memories of the Kennedy years. The Kennedy administration described itself as offering Americans a New Frontier, and there was a sense in the country that almost anything was possible. Most famously, although the Soviet Union placed the first astronaut in orbit, it was the United States that proclaimed it would be the first country in the world to land a man on the moon.

As audacious as that call to action was, it was in many respects, one of our nation’s most forcefully articulated strategic plans. It set a clear, unifying and ambitious goal; it mobilized resources; it resulted in an operational plan with a schedule and set of deliverables that were measureable; and it challenged us to go beyond our own sense of limitations.

It was the optimal embodiment of the 4Cs. No one would have walked on the moon without the creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication skills of an entire nation. During that journey, from commitment to completion, as a nation, we all felt we were the “best and brightest.”

In approaching our own new frontier in this second decade of the 21st century, I have sometimes described the opportunities before us as educators as our own “moon moment.” As was the case in 1963, there are those who believe we are hopelessly behind on the world stage. The idea of truly “unleashing each student’s potential” may seem as unlikely now as moon walks were then. The need for exciting and organizing a team of professionals around a common purpose is as urgent now as it was 50 years ago.

Before we can unleash each student’s potential, we need to unleash the potential of each member of our team. From maker spaces to Design 2015, from Skype sessions with scientists in Antarctica to actresses on Broadway, from food drives to community concerts to help families in need, from lab schools to academies of excellence, from safe buses and schools to healthy foods, teachers of the year to champion scholars and athletes, we are moving forward.

I am grateful that you are helping us to do that. America was described in the early 60s as having had a “can do” attitude. In the midst of today’s rapid and daunting change, one constant in Albemarle County has been your determination that all students will graduate having actively mastered the lifelong-learning skills they need to succeed as 21st century learners, workers and citizens.

You have much of which to be proud with one goal yet to achieve this week:

Have a joyous Thanksgiving.

Pam