I used this image in a recent talk and was reminded of our ultimate goal in education of taking down barriers to learning and thriving. Teachers and school leaders at all levels are working daily to see that every student has access to the opportunities they need to reach their potential. I’ve often thought, in these pandemic times, that equity can be more complex than removing a fence. What seems equitable, positive, and reasonable to one set of students (and their parents) seems inequitable, dangerous, and irresponsible to another set.

It has been a stressful and tumultuous time for students, teachers, and school leaders in all sectors of education. I am confident that everyone has acted in what they thought was in the best interest of school, students, families, and communities. I want to say an affirming THANK YOU to teachers and school leaders, from pre-school to graduate school, for your courage and determination, for your efforts to apply your best judgment to challenges that have no absolute right answers.

When the pandemic is behind us, the educational enterprise in the US and around the globe will have lots of catching up to do. I hope we will do it with determination, patience, and grace, moving past the disagreements and looking to focus on the the well-being of students. It is imperative that we get back on track for the future of our societies. When all students can learn and achieve, we will have more able, educated minds to tackle serious local, national, and global challenges that must be addressed and resolved to make our collective future possible. THANK YOU to all who work every day to make that happen.