# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
District leaders "became" judges on our school district version of "America's Got Talent".  My stint with a Howie Mandel "bald head" and hand sanitizer.  

# data[].attributes.body
When working at the district level, under the leadership of our superintendent, the members of our district leadership team would work to create a fun and entertaining way to share updates with our community in the annual "Superintendent's State of the District" address.  Whether it was a night at the Academy Awards where "school stars" would walk the red carpet to share their work in the schools, a takeoff on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood where various district guests would visit to tell about stories from the schools or some other creative and humorous event to welcome the community to our performing arts center to update them on the highlights of the year in our schools, it became an "event" waited for each year.

One memorable State of the District event was the school district's version of America's Got Talent. Some would consider donning a fake bald head and embracing the character of Howie Mandel for the evening to be unreasonable. My colleagues "became" the other members of the AGT judging panel, also demonstrating unreasonable leadership. What I remember about this event, though, is the humorous way we were able to engage our community and staff, and the creative way that we could showcase our staff and students as they came "on stage" to share highlights of the good work happening in our schools at that time.

Putting yourself "out there" and engaging others can feel "unreasonable" at times, but the benefits and payoffs are so well worth it.  These are the things that people remember and that make a leader "real" to others.

The "Gold Buzzer" goes to all unreasonable leaders!!

Submitted by Chris Beals

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
With my mom and Trish on one of my work trips, where they often accompanied me. 

# data[].attributes.body
For those of you who have attended one of my workshops or keynotes, you know I was not a successful student n my K-12 experience. I was retained in 4th grade, my dad passed when I was in 5th grade, my mom went back to get her GED when I was in 6th grade, and I graduated ranked 262 out of 266 from high school.

I went to a community college because my friends were going to college and I was a bit lost, so I decided it was my best option to get a 2-year degree, but I failed out of 2 colleges. On my 3rd community college, I commuted to Hudson Valley Community College (one hour from home), and I joined the x-country running team.

My coach Ron Mulson (we still talk to this day) told me if I was going to run with them I had to go into the learning assistance center. A month into the semester my car broke down, and I was going to have to drop out of college.

Then my mom, sister Trish and brother-in-law Hassan stepped in.

Trish and Hassan had a one-year-old baby (my nephew Ali) and lived down the road from my mom and me. Hassan picked me up every morning at 6:30 am and we drove 35 minutes south to drop him off at work, and then I made the extra 25-minute commute to Hudson Valley. I went to the LAC for tutoring 3 days a week, and Hassan worked overtime 3 days a week so I could run with the team. Mulson allowed me to train on my own the other days because he knew I would do it.

That semester my grades went from a 1.7 to a 3.86 and I went to junior college nationals for cross country.

Many people would think that the sacrifices Trish and Hassan made for me were unreasonable, but because of them, along with the support of my mom, I became the first in my immediate family to graduate from high school.

Trish had been in the National Honor’s Society in high school but she graduated from high school 3 months after our dad passed and dropped out of college to help take care of me. She went back to get her degree a few years later and we were all there to cheer her on at graduation.

I lost both my mom and Trish a little over 1 ½ ago (4 months apart) but will always be grateful for their unreasonable support.

Submitted by Peter DeWitt

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Rose Guynup (speech), Donna Nikles (secretary), Peter DeWitt (Principal), Patti Breen (2nd grade), Melissa Weatherwax (3rd grade). 

# data[].attributes.body
When I was pursuing my degree in school administration (that’s what they called it back then), advice was often given to find the perfect fit. When I stepped into Poestenkill Elementary School for an interview in front of a panel of 17 people, I knew I found my perfect fit, because the interview felt comfortable…natural. Fortunately, they felt I was a perfect fit too.

One of the activities our staff did was put on a reader’s theatre for our K-5 students. They loved seeing their teachers and principal dressed up, and the plays centered around medieval times. I got to play the Good Knight.

When I think of my 8 years as a school principal at Poestenkill Elementary School I am always so grateful to have served that community. As I get older it becomes even more important to me that for those 8 years I found an unreasonably good fit.

Submitted by Peter DeWitt

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
The Backseat is full of trays of cookies to honor and thank community partners on the first day of school!

# data[].attributes.body
A strategy to share our excitement about the first day of school was delivering trays of cookies to our two police departments, fire departments, and city halls within our district thanking them in advance for any support we might need from them throughout the school year.  Every year when I delivered the trays of cookies, our service organizations shared their appreciation of our public schools.  Of course, I used their comments when I met with staff members in each school.  We definitely need each other to build great public schools.

Submitted by Mike Nelson

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Front of Enumclaw School District Central Office on the First Day of School

# data[].attributes.body
When I became superintendent, I realized our district office staff members were seldom in the schools and therefore needed to bring the schools to the district office.  A tradition I continue in this role from my days as superintendent is reading a story to staff.

We would serve cookies from our central kitchen and milk in the little cartoons to all staff.  Staff members who were out in the schools on the first day would share stories of their experience.  Every year stories from district office staff members would emerge about their school experiences.

Before afternoon milk and cookies were served, our district office staff knew it was the first day of school from the moment they got out of their cars.  A giant sign greeted them with the phrase, “WooHoo for the first day of school!”  Bus drivers would honk as they drove by our district office.  Several parents would stop each year and take a photo of their children in front of the sign.  This tradition continues even after leaving the district for my current position.

Submitted by Mike Nelson