Ralph Funk: Words Are Inadequate

Words do not exist that can adequately describe the Harvard experience. Imagine 167 dedicated principals from twenty states and eleven different countries, fifteen focused facilitators, ten institute organizers and fourteen of the finest research minds converging in one location to learn from each other for ten days. One would imagine that such a diverse group would have problems relating to one another, but the attendees’ love of children and burning desire to improve education created an immediate bond. This instant bond translated into lengthy conversations that rivaled those of life-long friends. The institute was truly one of the highlights of my 23 year administrative career.

Beginning with Chris Dede’s challenge to include our student’s knowledge and use of technology to make learning more relevant and concluding with the final session where Jerry Murphy examined the art of leading through change, the institute was designed to touch the full myriad of skills required by administration. The expert orchestration of the institute is further proof of the quality of the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

I have now returned to work and the “real world,” but even the day-to-day grind of the high school principalship cannot dim the passion that was ignited during this event. My staff is beginning to tire of my sharing knowledge learned while at Harvard – and I have only just begun! The applicability of the learning to my every day work has already enabled me to be a better leader of my school. This experience will allow me to build other leaders and to improve the academic performance of the students with whom we work on a daily basis.

Just as words do not describe my experience, words seem inadequate when expressing thanks to Raise Your Hand Texas for enabling 32 Texas principals the opportunity of a lifetime. Few, if any, of us could have made this journey without your assistance. I cannot help but think that the knowledge and skills learned by these principals will truly make a difference in their schools and in the lives of many students. Thank you Raise Your Hand Texas and to all the principals who made this such an amazing experience!

Ralph Funk