Teaching is one of the most fulfilling jobs a person can have, and also one of the most difficult. Those who have answered the call to teach have taken many different paths. This short blog series will feature 3 different pathways to teaching. I begin with my own journey.

Redistricting students into new schools is one of the hardest decisions the Board of Education makes. It is a very emotional issue for the students and their families. As we embark on the redistricting process for the Linganore, Oakdale and Urbana feeder patterns, I am very proud of the Board of Education for demonstrating their commitment to cultural proficiency.

I recently attended the National Conference on Education, and one of the keynote speakers was Dr. Bill Daggett. I have heard Dr. Daggett speak several times, and each time, I am reminded that it is time to think about educational practices in the 21st Century.

Guest blogger Meg Lee, supervisor of Advanced Academics, is a valuable member of the FCPS team. She is a passionate leader who has inspired our district’s work with a “growth mindset” and has been integral in developing a partnership described below that will impact students across the county.

The debate over the school calendar has focused on a post-Labor Day versus a pre-Labor Day start date for students. There are passionate arguments on both sides. But are we truly asking the right questions about the school calendar?

There are nearly 8,000 employees who support the students and families in our school system. They hold a variety of jobs and provide critical services to keep our organization running effectively and efficiently. Sometimes it is easy to take their work for granted, but recent data reminded me how fortunate we are to have each and every one of them!

Universal prekindergarten is one of the recommendations from the Kirwan Commission. There is much research to support the need for early childhood education. After visiting many prekindergarten classes in recent weeks, I offer a less scientific reason to support universal prekindergarten.

Reminding our students that being polite and respectful is important—FCPS celebrates the Civility Week Kindness Challenge from January 29-February 1st!

As our nation celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I encourage everyone to read some of his speeches and inspirational quotes. His messages are still relevant today.

There is plenty of research to support the value of student participation in extracurricular activities—from increased engagement to better academic achievement. FCPS offers a variety of opportunities for our students to explore interests through extracurricular programs. One exceptional example is the Model United Nations.