Leadership Matters - October 2014

Reaction to Cross’ letter came from all over the country

“What a wonderful letter you wrote to your district parents! I am on the School Board of Perrysburg Schools, in Perrysburg, OH. … A music educator sent me your article as it was posted on the National Association for Music Educators site. She and I are both big fans of the arts in education, she as a music educator and me as an instructor trying to reinvigorate creativity among students before it's totally squashed. We both did our Master's work on this theme so your letter really rang true to us…Letters like yours are ‘music’ to my ears. Thanks so much for taking a stand against the insanity and being a leader of common sense, not common core.” --Sue Larimer, Board Member, Perrysburg Schools, Perrysburg OH “I saw your letter to parents recently, shared by the Washington Post(!) on Facebook, and I wanted to reach out and say thank you for so clearly stating your thoughts and being willing to share your views with your community. I grew up in Peru, and although I attended the Peru Catholic school system, I of course have a special place in my heart for anything as it relates to my hometown, where my parents and many other family members still live... I also work in K-12 education... Yes, basic math and literacy skills serve as part of a foundation for a child's education, but there is so much more to it. School systems, where all adults work together to provide high-quality instruction and supports for students; time for students to relax, be creative, expend energy, and explore new skills; development of social-emotional skills -- these are all so important, and I am proud to come from a town where the Superintendent of schools ‘gets it.’ ” --Michelle Scott, Education Researcher, Chicago

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