Every culture has a moment of renewal — a point in the year when people pause, reflect and prepare to begin again. For some, it is tied to the rhythm of the seasons: spring festivals celebrating rebirth, harvest celebrations marking transition or cultural traditions that honor the turning of a calendar unlike our own. Renewal is universal because hope is universal. The desire to reset, to reconsider and to recommit ourselves to what matters most is woven into the human experience.

For me, renewal has always come with the arrival of the New Year. I look forward to it with the same anticipation I felt as a child: the clean page of a new calendar, the quiet moment before writing down my goals, the feeling that — even briefly — everything is possible. It is a time when I allow myself to look inward with honesty and look outward with optimism. I ask: Where did I grow? Where did I fall short? What do I want to become in this next chapter?

For school districts and county offices of education, the beginning of a new calendar year often brings its own sense of renewal as well. Even though our operational year follows the school calendar, January naturally pushes us to pause, reassess and look at our goals with fresh clarity. We step into the second half of the school year with a deeper understanding of our students’ needs, a clearer picture of the challenges ahead and a renewed commitment to fulfilling our vision. In many ways, it is a mid-year reset that strengthens our resolve and reconnects us to our purpose.

And for us as school board members, this season offers a powerful opportunity to reflect on the gravity of the work we do. Governance is not static; it demands agility, self-awareness and a commitment to learning. January gives us a symbolic (and practical) invitation to strengthen those commitments.

Renewal is not simply a feeling — it is an action. It is a choice to remain curious, to lean into the complexity of public education and to continue developing the skills that make each of us effective leaders. The landscape we navigate is changing quickly. Demographics shift, student needs evolve and state and federal policies grow increasingly intricate. Budgets tighten, technology advances and the expectations placed on schools expand every year.

If we are to lead successfully through these changes, we must see ourselves as continuous learners. Renewal calls us to seek training, ask better questions, study best practices and remain open to new ideas. It is through learning that we refine our judgment, deepen our understanding and strengthen the partnerships that help our districts thrive. Whether we are in our first year or our 20th, governance demands that we never stop growing.

Bold leadership does not mean being dramatic or confrontational. It means being grounded, principled and courageous — especially when the decisions before us are difficult. It is the courage to center students even when pressure pulls in multiple directions. It is the clarity to stay aligned with our strategic priorities even when distractions arise. And it is the compassion to understand the lived experiences of every student and family we serve, including those whose voices are rarely heard.

Bold leadership asks us to step into the future with a willingness to challenge outdated practices, question assumptions and elevate new solutions. It insists that we keep equity at the forefront — because closing opportunity and achievement gaps is not a project, but a moral responsibility. Our students cannot wait for incremental change. They need leaders who are willing to act with purpose and urgency.

As I step into the role of CSBA President, I am deeply aware of the opportunity — and responsibility — we share. This year, I hope we embrace renewal not as a seasonal theme, but as a leadership practice. Let us begin 2026 with a mindset that invites growth, reflection and courageous action.

Renewal invites us to recommit to what brought us to this work in the first place:

• A belief in the power of public education;
• A desire to expand opportunity;
• A dedication to lifting up the next generation; and
• A conviction that our governance matters.

Let this year be one in which we learn more deeply, listen more intentionally and lead more boldly. Let us find inspiration in our shared purpose and strength in our collective commitment. Our students deserve nothing less than our full engagement, our best thinking and our laser focus on their success.

Cheers to a year of renewal — a year of learning, courage, growth and bold, student-centered leadership.