To our RISD athletes and coaches.Stay positive, keep working, keep believing. Tough times don’t last, but tough people do! Focus on what is in your control! I am confident we will get through this together. Appreciate each and every one of you👊🏻
To all of you in leadership positions, hang in there, keep working, keep listening, keep finding solutions, keep pivoting, keep adapting your plans, keep smiling, keep showing grace, and keep focusing on KIDS. We will get through this.
#LeadingDuringaPandemic
Thinking of all the leaders out there having to make decisions. Decisions that will be applauded by some, questioned by others. Let’s all show grace during this difficult time!
I just wish I could watch one youth sports game where the kids just get to play and do not have to hear parents yelling instructions from the stands. Kids need direction and coaching from one person, their coach!
If you had told me a year ago we would be negotiating sites for a state semifinal 6A basketball game between two teams in the DFW area, I would have said, no way. Here we are, and I will take it. Our Eagles are in the final four!!!! So proud of our kids and coaches👊🏻🏀👊🏻
Leadership is heavy. Rewarding, but heavy. Challenging, and heavy. The more you care, the heavier it feels. Hard to explain but if you know, you know!!
Great morning at all four high schools in RISD! Our coaches, athletic trainers and kids involved in S&C and skills training did an outstanding job following health and safety protocol.
In 26 years in education I have never seen people working so hard! All for kids. They are worth it. Next time you see someone in education, thank them.
My son, “Mom, you know the new kid I was telling you about? I wish I could talk to him but I can’t speak his language and he doesn’t know English. So, I smile at him and we play soccer. I am going to ask my teacher to help me use google translate and say I want to be friends❤️
A home varsity football game is more than a game. It is a community event that takes a lot of work behind the scenes. Last night two fans told me how wonderful and helpful our staff had been. Thank you to all of our staff who work at our stadiums. Proud to be part of this team!
@RichardsonISD
So proud of Coach Ledford. Incredible message today at the THSCA Leadership Summit. Relationships are the key. No one does that better than Jim Ledford.
Shout out to the athlete who shows up every day, brings a ton of energy, accepts his or her role, and truly loves being a part of a team. Some of the most important people on the team don’t show up in the stats!! I see you cheering from the bench. Much respect👊🏻
We said goodbye to a wonderful man today. The best father in law and grandfather. He loved life. He reminded me always of what was important… people. Life is precious…make the most of every day💕
Teachers and coaches in public education are the foundation, the ones who change lives, the difference makers, the ones who can change the trajectory of a kid’s life, yet we continue to have to fight for funding and resources for public education. Make it make sense 🤷♀️
Congratulations to our RISD coaches of the year! Coach Lambert, Coach Miller and Coach Rote! Thank you for all you do for kids! We are lucky to have you in RISD👊🏻
I am at an 11u baseball tournament and just thanked the umpire for being here. Let’s normalize thanking umpires/officials. Let’s treat them with respect. There is a shortage of officials nation wide. Parents, athletes and fans, we can make a difference!
Someone recently asked me for advice before going into an interview. My first thought is that we are being interviewed every single day! Win the day with integrity, how you treat people, how you prepare, how you resolve conflict and how you handle really difficult situations.
A lot of talk in the sports world right now about handshake lines. If we can’t shake hands after a game win or lose, regardless of the sport or level, something is terribly wrong. Sportsmanship matters.
Anyone else send yourself emails late at night, over the weekend? Works great for reminders, but at the rate I am going half of my Monday will be spent checking emails that I send to myself😂
I wonder who will write the first book called, Leading During a Pandemic? Whoever does, write about our incredible teachers and coaches who are working so hard for kids. I am an eye witness to their commitment and love for kids.
#Heroes
Let’s not assume just becasue you are a coach you are not a good teacher. Some of our very best teachers in RISD are also coaches. I know this is true in many other districts as well! Thank you to all teacher/coaches who are amazing at both!
Great night at the board meeting celebrating BHS Coach Trey Bryant!! Top 10 fastest rising head football coaches in Texas! He is the real deal!
@CoachNine7
Proud of you!
You are being interviewed every day. Use more We’s than I’s, volunteer when needed, choose your battles wisely, be a team player, no need to tell people how hard you work, handle tough situations with class and grace and keep kids first!
Walked out of my office today and not going to lie! It was emotional. I love my work family, and I love the work we do to support kids and coaches. We will adjust to a new normal for now and support may look a little different, but we are here for you!
Tonight, I said Cade tomorrow is the first day of school. If you see someone who is shy or sitting alone, what are you going to do? He said, I will tell them don’t be afraid, I will be your friend. Love this kid❤️
Season comes to an end for our Wildcats, but what an incredible game. Our kids left it all on the field. So proud of our kids and coaches. Much respect guys 👊🏻❤️👊🏻
So proud of Cade and Jace! Up early on a Saturday morning helping a lady who is a widow fix up her backyard. Others before self. Servant leadership should start at a young age❤️
Congratulations to Berkner, Lake Highlands, Pearce and Richardson volleyball teams!! All four teams have clinched a playoff spot! So proud of our kids and coaches👊🏻
Happy 12th birthday to our son. What an incredible blessing Cade is to our family. I love his heart for people and for doing what is right. Blessed to be his mom❤️
@JimLedford1
What a great night it was to celebrate the incredible career of Coach Jim Ledford. Thank you for all you have done for our kids and coaches ❤️
#Legend
So nice to be able to share this state championship weekend with this guy! Shout out to all the family members who support and sacrifice so we can do what we love. Thank you is not enough 👊🏻
Love celebrating Shawn and Susan!! Great leaders, dear friends and colleagues. Congrats on being inducted into the THSADA Hall of Honor. So deserving.
@ShawnPratt2
@HuskerElza
@OfficialTHSADA
Relationships are built with effort, intentional conversations and a commitment to investing in people. They just don’t happen by chance. Invest in people. Takes time but is so worth the investment!
Not sure who all needs to hear this tonight, but I see you working hard, I see your commitment to kids and staff. I feel your stress. Remember you are not alone on this journey. Keep smiling even with that mask on!
#risdwevegotthis
In honor of our theme this year,
#SaySomething
, I want to say thank you to our awesome Assistant AD in RISD, Kevin Pitts! Every single day he goes above and beyond. No task is too big or too small. He is the best example of what great leadership looks like!
@kpitts724
Everything we do as coaches and athletic administrators should come from a place of love. It’s not about us. It’s about a Love for kids and coaches. Even the hard conversations and hard decisions all point back to a love for kids.
#Leadwith
Love&Grace
Just mind blowing to me how elected officials can’t set aside personal agendas and invest in all
KIDS, invest in public Ed, invest in our teachers!!! It is past time to do the right thing. Our kids, all kids deserve better.
Today was tough as we met with our Pearce wrestling team. Coach Stickler loved our kids. I mean he really loved them, and they knew it! Was so impactful to hear them speak about him today. Coaches, tell your kids you love them, and also show them❤️
I hear a lot about coaching style, coaching philosophy in our world of athletics. You better spend just as much time connecting with your kids and showing them you love them. The relationships must be the foundation!
So proud of our Berkner head athletic trainer, James Coffman! He received a proclamation form the City of Richardson for his dedication to our student athletes. James goes above and beyond for kids every day!
Just found out my niece who serves in the Army made it safely to North Carolina! She has been in Afghanistan.Thanks to all the men and women who serve our country ❤️