07/07/2026
As I reflect on my journey from special education teacher / world language teacher to district leader I began to realize that many of the barriers students face are not student deficits but system design issues. When the academic institutional ecosystem operates in silos, we have specialized educators working very hard and sometimes pulling in different directions which often leave us wondering why the student is not progressing. When we are “in it”, we cannot see it as clearly as when we are outside.
When multilingual learners struggle, we often ask what is wrong with the student. A better question may be: What is the system producing?
This question has allowed me to grow the right team, design appropriate systems and lead in supporting students that has ended in positive student outcomes.
As I reflect on this past year, I ask the same question to draft next year’s plan. Our program relies on existing systems and include all key players (no extra work). Parent Engagement Initiatives and Student Agency programs have been systems we have implemented this year and plan to continue to expand for next.
As you think of your plans for next year...
1) What systems issue has had the greatest impact on student outcomes in your experience?
2) Have you ever discovered that the problem you were trying to solve wasn’t actually the problem?
